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Drinking
Among Navajo Young Adults: Beliefs, Knowledge, and Work
Principal
Investigator: Roland S. Moore, Ph.D.
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This
study is designed to document the current state of beliefs,
knowledge, and behavior surrounding alcohol use among young
adults from the center of the Navajo Nation. Building upon
the literature on drinking among Native American populations,
the study will explicate normative understandings of alcohol,
patterns of drinking, and employment among Diné (Navajo)
people who are between 21 and 24 years of age.
Moreover, this study aims to assess relationships among (a)
drinking patterns, (b) beliefs and knowledge about alcohol,
and (c) experience with employment and unemployment among
these Diné young adults. The research design consists
of a five-year longitudinal ethnographic study using the classical
anthropological methods of naturalistic observations and semi-structured
interviews. The ethnographic interview sample will consist
of 56 Diné young adults randomly selected from a published
list of graduates of a high school in the center of the Navajo
Nation. Participant observation, guided in part by the interview
findings, will take place in and around the community in settings
frequented by young adults. These observational settings will
include sites where drinking occurs as well as those where
drinking is discouraged.
The
study focuses on young adults because they are at greatest
risk for heavy binge drinking and experience a disproportionate
number of such problem indicators as DUIs and arrests for
violent behavior. This study's findings should produce an
updated understanding of Diné young adults' drinking
norms, a necessary precursor for prevention efforts with relevance
to this population. Accordingly, the study should shed light
on an onerous problem faced not only by the Navajo, but other
Native American groups as well. Feedback to the local Department
of Behavioral Health Services, interested local hospital staff,
local government officials, and the Navajo Nation Health Research
Review Board will be given annually and at the conclusion
of the project.
Proceed
to PRC CD Presentation featuring Dr. Roland Moore
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