Moving from ethnography to epidemiology: lessons learned in Appalachia
Ryan A Brown1, Jennifer Kuzara, William E Copeland
1Human Development and Social Policy, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60208, USA. rbrow11@gmail.com
Annals of Human Biology
|April 9, 2009
Summary
This study developed the Life Trajectory Interview for Youth (LTI-Y) to assess Appalachian youth life course perspectives. The LTI-Y effectively predicted depressive symptoms, highlighting the value of ethnographically-based tools in health research.
Area of Science:
- Anthropology and Public Health
- Cultural Anthropology
- Longitudinal Health Studies
Background:
- Ethnographic insights are increasingly used in population studies to understand culture's impact on health.
- Developing culturally sensitive tools is crucial for accurate health assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the creation and administration of the ethnographically-based Life Trajectory Interview for Youth (LTI-Y).
- To assess the LTI-Y's utility in predicting depressive symptoms among Appalachian youth.
Main Methods:
- Developed the Life Trajectory Interview for Youth (LTI-Y) using ethnographic methods.
- Administered the LTI-Y to 319 youths (190 White, 129 Cherokee).
- Tested associations between LTI-Y domains (barriers, milestones) and depressive symptoms, controlling for prior symptoms and negative life events.
Main Results:
- Ethnographically-based scales for life course barriers and milestones explained 11% of the variance in depressive symptoms.
- These scales were significantly associated with unique variance in depressive symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Balancing participant-driven detail with analytical needs is key when creating ethnographically-based instruments.
- Ethnographically-based instruments demonstrate utility in predicting health outcomes in longitudinal research.
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