Title

Everyday Stressors in Association with Mental Health Evaluation in Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Community Members

Authors

Elena O'Donald, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Community Environmental Health Program, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, NM
Rae O'Leary, Missouri Breaks Industries Research, Inc., Eagle Butte, SD
Brandi Fink, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Sharon Rulak, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Community Environmental Health Program, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, NM
Marcia O'Leary, Missouri Breaks Industries Research, Inc., Eagle Butte, SD
Kendra Enright, Missouri Breaks Industries Research, Inc., Eagle Butte, SD
Esther Erdei, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Community Environmental Health Program, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, NM

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

3-31-2023

Abstract

Background:

This pilot study analyzed mental health (SCL-90-R), discrimination, everyday stressor and societal factor measures implemented to an ongoing heavy metal toxicants risk assessment evaluation. The P50 Center supported sub-study was a response to community concerns of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. National Institute of Mental Health reported that in 2020, U.S. adults had a prevalence rate of serious mental illness 5.6% overall, while Native Americans had even higher rate of 6.6%.

Methods:

Out of 225 CRST Tribal participants, 57 completed all pilot survey tools, including socioeconomic measures, discrimination survey, everyday stressors, adverse childhood event (ACE) history, and SCL-90-R symptom checklist.

Based on the expert review (by B.F.) of participants’ responses, we created 10 main, 2 additional, and 1 global mental health domains: including Somatization, Depression, Anxiety and Suicide/death/obsession.

Quantile regression modeling examined association between serum/urinary metal/micronutrient concentrations and mental health domains. Everyday stressors, perception of discrimination, adverse childhood event (ACE) history, and demographic factors were also investigated.

Results:

We found that 40% of the participants had elevated ACE score (4 or higher) and mean everyday stressor weight score was 0.49. Discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, race, age, was prevalent and reported by 47%, 19%, 28%, and 21% of community members, respectively.

Everyday stressor weight score predicted Global Severity Index, Anxiety, Depression, Somatization, and Bodily/somatic symptoms. Discrimination weight score was also associated with Obsessive compulsive and Interpersonal sensitivity. Serum manganese concentrations predicted Somatization response. Elevated ACE score was linked to Global Severity. Racial discrimination responses were associated with Interpersonal sensitivity. Weight/obesity-related discrimination was linked to Hostility and Suicide/death/obsession. All reported above relationships were direct and statistically significant at α=0.01.

Conclusions:

Everyday stressors, discrimination, ACE history, and serum manganese adversely affect mental health. Younger and lower educated people are more vulnerable to Hostility and Phobic anxiety conditions, respectively.

Comments

Poster presented at the Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day 2023

Recommended Citation

O'Donald, Elena; Rae O'Leary; Brandi Fink; Sharon Rulak; Marcia O'Leary; Kendra Enright; and Esther Erdei. "Everyday Stressors in Association with Mental Health Evaluation in Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Community Members." (2023). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/hsc-bbhrd/126