J Transcult Nurs. 2025 Feb 14:10436596251316235. doi: 10.1177/10436596251316235. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 created unprecedented disruption for school-age children and adolescents across the United States. This educational disruption was significant for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) students. Our study’s purpose was to understand COVID-19’s impact on AI/AN adolescents’ education and their physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual well-being, as well as their coping mechanisms.
METHODOLOGY: We employed a qualitative descriptive design with 14 AI/AN adolescents aged 14 to 18 years among three Tribes in the Great Plains in August 2023.
RESULTS: Our participants reported several disruptions, yet they found unique ways to stay connected. The themes identified were social network, physical activity, emotional well-being, gaming, responses of reservation schools to COVID-19, and challenges of virtual learning.
DISCUSSION: There is a lack of focus on the resilience and protective factors among rural AI/AN adolescents. Understanding how these factors may enhance AI/AN well-being is essential for providing culturally responsive care and promoting healthy growth and development.
PMID:39953668 | DOI:10.1177/10436596251316235
