Clinical Considerations around the Development of Indigenous Boys and Mental Health Outcomes
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Updated: Jan 14, 2026

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
George Bud Vana1, Jason Finkbonner2
1Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, WA, USA; Vermont Child Psychiatry Access Program, c/o Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care, 132 Main Street #1, Montpelier, VT 05602, USA; Vermont Center for Resiliency, 112 Lake Street, Burlington, VT 05401, USA.
Abstract:
The mental health risks for American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) boys and adolescents are stark: the highest death by suicide rate among demographic groups-2 to 3 times more likely to die by suicide than non-Hispanic white peers, the highest rates of alcohol and drug addiction, and the highest rates of poverty. It is important to start discussion about AI/AN people by saying that this demographic category used by the US Census and many researchers comprises 574 federally recognized tribes and 63 state recognized tribes. Cultural practices can be interventions and protective factors.
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