The Impact of Cultural Connectedness on Mental Wellness in Indigenous Children and Youth

Indigenous peoples face significant health inequities when compared with the rest of Canadians, which is evident even among children and youth. First Nations children and youth have higher rates of acute and chronic pain, mental illness, substance use disorders, and suicidal thoughts. A recent study found that First Nations youth had an elevated risk of suicidal ideation and attempts if they had a parent or grandparent who attended residential school. One avenue that shows promise for addressing mental health concerns among Indigenous children and youth is cultural connectedness. In Indigenous communities, culture is foundational to healing and is nurtured through participation in cultural activities. The proposed project is based on a community-identified need for research surrounding how cultural connection promotes positive mental health for children and youth. This study uses multiple research methods to understand the impact of cultural connectedness and cultural identity on the mental health of Indigenous children and youth in present-day Nova Scotia. A comprehensive review of the literature will be conducted to identify definitions of cultural identity and current strategies that use cultural connectedness in the context of mental health care. The second phase is a secondary analysis of national survey data, which will use statistical tests to determine the relationship between cultural connectedness and mental health outcomes. The third phase is a community-based project that will use arts-based qualitative methods to explore how Indigenous youth conceptualize cultural identity and its connection with mental health.