The Power to Explain: Using a Biopsychosocial Model to Identify Intervention Targets for Smoking and Nicotine Dependence Among American Indians

American Indians suffer from some of the highest rates of tobacco use, and these rates are even higher in the Northern Plains, the site where this research is being conducted. This presentation will present an overview of a model for smoking and nicotine dependence that the research team created that bridges the biological and psychosocial domains. Genetic factors, as well as other biopsychosocial characteristics, will be explored. Implications of the model for other kinds of addictions will be discussed. The presenter will then highlight how this model will be used in working with the community to develop culturally specific interventions. This presentation will highlight how etiologic research is conducted with American Indian and Alaska Native Communities, discuss the risk and protective factors that are culturally relevant to consider, and then highlight how etiologic research ultimately serves as the basis for intervention development and evaluation.