The Power to Understand: Caring for Our Generations by Identifying Risk and Resiliency

Northwest American Indians are a drastically understudied and underserved group, at risk for multiple health problems including poor maternal health during and after pregnancy as well as substance abuse. This presentation will address the research process and results related to a study of mental health, trauma and substance use among women before and during pregnancy in the Pacific Northwest. Using both qualitative and quantitative approaches, a significant part of the study focuses on exploring personal, familial, and community strengths that lower substance use in women.  The presentation will highlight how the study was conceptualized, study themes and questions and the process for developing the study within the community using a community based participatory research approach. In this way, it will highiight many of the unique aspects of conducting research with American Indian/Alaska Native Communities. In addition, it will showcase what data have been collected thus far and highlight preliminary conclusions. Ultimately, the findings of this study will assist the research team in designing a culturally appropriate and feasible intervention program for American Indian mothers living in the Northwest. The process by which this will be done will be described, thus showcasing how science can help to empower communities to make changes that lead to positive health outcomes.