Baseline Sociodemographic Characteristics and Mental Health Status of Primary Caregivers and Children Attending Schools on the Navajo Nation During COVID‐19

• Published in: The Journal of school health 2024-09, Vol.94 (9), p.808-819
• Main Authors: Archuleta, Shannon, Allison‐Burbank, Joshuaa D., Ingalls, Allison, Begay, Renae, Begaye, Vanessa, Howe, Lacey, Tsosie, Alicia, Keryte, Angelina Phoebe, Haroz, Emily E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age differences; Age groups; Alaska Natives; Alaska Natives - psychology; Alaska Natives - statistics & numerical data; American Indian or Alaska Native - psychology; American Indian or Alaska Native - statistics & numerical data; American Indians; Caregivers; Caregivers - psychology; Child; child and adolescent health; Child Health; Children; Cohort analysis; community health; Community research; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; Cultural identity; Data Analysis; Education work relationship; Efficacy; Employment; Female; Health disparities; Health status; Hospitalization; Humans; Indians, North American - psychology; Indians, North American - statistics & numerical data; Indigenous peoples; Learning; Life expectancy; Longitudinal Studies; Male; mental and emotional health; Mental depression; Mental Health; Middle Aged; Mortality rates; Pandemics; Participatory research; Protective factors; Psychological distress; Psychosocial factors; public health and public education partnerships; Resilience; Resilience, Psychological; SARS-CoV-2; Schools; social determinants of health; Sociodemographic Factors; Sociodemographics; Teenagers; Trauma; United States - epidemiology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0022-4391; 1746-1561; 1746-1561
• DOI: 10.1111/josh.13487

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Despite historical and contemporary trauma, American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN; Indigenous) communities responded with resilience to the COVID‐19 pandemic. However, AIANs experienced disproportionate rates of infection, hospitalization, death, and reduced life expectancy. School closures exacerbated disparities, leading to learning loss, economic instability, and mental health challenges among AIAN youth. METHODS The Project SafeSchools cohort study employed a comprehensive longitudinal convergent mixed‐methods approach, integrating community‐based participatory research principles. The study enrolled Navajo Nation caregivers whose children were eligible to attend local reservation‐based schools. We conducted an analysis of caregiver self‐report baseline data collected between August 2021 and May 2022. RESULTS A total of 242 caregivers completed at least part of the baseline assessment and were included in data analysis. Caregivers were primarily female (88.7%), non‐Hispanic (97%), and Indigenous (97%). Most caregivers were in their late 30s (mean age 38), with varying educational backgrounds and employment statuses. Children were evenly split between males and females and distributed across different age groups. Most children attended school at baseline in various formats, including in‐person, hybrid, and online‐only settings. Caregivers reported a range of psychosocial and behavioral risks, including general mental distress, depressive symptoms, and anxiety for themselves and their children. Furthermore, caregivers and children exhibited various protective factors, such as strong cultural identity, resilience, and academic self‐efficacy. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the higher rates of mental health distress among participating caregivers and children compared to national averages. Despite these challenges, cultural protective factors remained strong and should guide future crisis response efforts.