The Lethality Screen: The Predictive Validity of an Intimate Partner Violence Risk Assessment for Use by First Responders.

This research is an examination of the predictive validity of the Lethality Screen, a tool used in conjunction with the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP). This intimate partner violence (IPV) risk assessment is an 11-item version of the Danger Assessment (DA) that was designed to be user-friendly for first responders and to maximize sensitivity. Participants ( N = 254) were recruited into the study at the scene of police-involved IPV incidents in one Southwestern state and subsequently participated in two structured telephone interviews approximately 7 months apart. These analyses provide evidence that the Lethality Screen has considerable sensitivity (92%-93%) and a high negative predictive value (93%-96%) for near lethal and severe violence. However, specificity was low (21%). The Lethality Screen also has good agreement with the DA and IPV survivors' perception of risk. The high sensitivity and low specificity should be considered carefully when determining whether the Lethality Screen is appropriate for particular areas of practice with IPV survivors and/or perpetrators.

The Experience of Cancer in American Indians Living in Oklahoma.

Many cancers in American Indians (AIs) are not diagnosed early leading to effects on physical, social, and emotional well-being or quality of life (QOL). Little research has been done on QOL of AIs in Oklahoma. This study examined the experience of living with cancer of AIs in Oklahoma to gain greater understanding of QOL issues and provide a basis for interventions to improve QOL. Twenty AIs diagnosed with cancer and receiving care in Oklahoma participated in this pilot study through semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Themes identified included circles of support, finding meaning in the experience, and facing personal challenges such as health care-related issues, including mental health needs and fragmented care. The findings from this pilot study provide insights into the cancer experience of AIs in Oklahoma and demonstrate that care navigation and social support are important aspects to address in intervention development.

THE EFFECT OF A CULTURALLY TAILORED SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION INTERVENTION WITH PLAINS INDIAN ADOLESCENTS.

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of incorporating tribal specific cultural beliefs into a tailored substance abuse prevention intervention for at risk rural Oklahoma Native American Indian (NAI) Plains adolescents. RESEARCH DESIGN: The 10 hour Native American Talking Circle Intervention, a school-based, group substance abuse prevention program, was implemented over a 8.5 week period and evaluated using a one group, pretest-posttest design. Measurements were from the Native Self-Reliance Questionnaire and the Substance Problems Scale from Global Appraisal of Individual Needs-Quick (GAIN-Q). FINDINGS: One-tailed, paired sample t-tests demonstrated significant increase in self-reliance, from 86.227 to 92.204 (t (43) = -2.580, p = .007) and a decrease in substance abuse/use, from 2.265 to 1.265 (t (33) = 1.844, p = .007). CONCLUSIONS: The Native Talking Circle Intervention based on tribal-specific values and beliefs was shown to be effective with substance abuse/use at-risk NAI Plains tribal adolescents.

The association between protective actions and homicide risk: findings from the Oklahoma Lethality Assessment Study.

This study focuses on the relationship between women's risk of homicide as measured by the Danger Assessment and 13 protective actions. Participants (N = 432) experienced an incident of police involved intimate partner violence (IPV) and subsequently completed a structured telephone interview. Most women in this sample experienced severe violence and were classified as being at high risk for homicide. Participants engaged in an average of 3.81 (SD = 2.73) protective actions. With the exception of the use of formal domestic violence services, women in the high-risk category were significantly more likely than women in the lower risk category to have used each of the protective actions examined. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Factors related to posttraumatic stress symptoms in women experiencing police-involved intimate partner violence.

Relationships among intimate partner violence (IPV), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, health, and danger, using M.A. Dutton's Empowerment framework, were examined among 423 ethnically diverse women in contact with police due to IPV. Significant predictors of PTSD symptoms in multivariate analysis included Danger Assessment score, poor overall health, abuse leading to pain, victim expectations of future injury victimization, feeling unsafe, and shame. Results provide further evidence supporting routine assessment for violent trauma and PTSD as well as the need for research testing holistic interventions for women traumatized by violence.

Collaborating with police departments: recruitment in the Oklahoma Lethality Assessment (OK-LA) study.

In a study to evaluate a collaborative police and social service intervention, researchers asked police officers to recruit intimate partner violence victims at the scene of domestic violence incidents. This article reviews the process of building successful partnerships with police departments as well as the strategies developed with collaborating police departments to create successful recruitment methods and enhance officer and department engagement with recruitment procedures. Over a period of 298 days, 800 victims were referred to the research study. Of these referrals, we were unable to contact 41.3%; of those contacted (n = 471), we conducted interviews with 67.73%.

State of the science: a cultural view of Native Americans and diabetes prevention.

The purpose of this article is to present a review of the literature on diabetes type 2 prevention interventions for Native American populations. The interrelation of the cultural role of food in Native American diets, educational policies related to food, outcomes of federal policies, and the historical background of diabetes are addressed. In addition, published studies of diabetes prevention interventions with Native American populations are examined. Lastly, exemplars of programs that represent best practices in the prevention of diabetes are described.

The experience of being an Anishinabe man healer: ancient healing in a modern world.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to understand the experience of being an Anishinabe man healer. Of particular relevance, healers explained how they provide Indigenous health care in a world dominated by Western biomedicine. DESIGN: A phenomenological approach was utilized to interview four Anishinabe men healers who reside in the United States and Canada. METHOD: In-person interviews were conducted using an interview guide. The interviews were audiotaped when permitted; otherwise notes were taken. Data analysis was conducted using techniques from Colaizzi and van Manen. FINDINGS: Seven themes were identified: (1) The Healer's Path, (2) Health as Wholeness, (3) Healing Ways, (4) Healing Stories, (5) Culture Interwoven with Healing, (6) Healing Exchange, and (7) Connection with Western Medicine. CONCLUSIONS: The themes identified inform nursing practice by pointing out the importance of culture within traditional Indigenous healing, as well as the need for a holistic approach when caring for Indigenous people. Additionally, the Indigenous men healers acknowledged their connection with Western medicine as part of the process of healing for their clients. This emphasizes the need for nurses and other health care providers to become knowledgeable regarding traditional Indigenous healing that their clients may be receiving, in order to foster open communication.

The experience of being an Anishinabe man healer: ancient healing in a modern world.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to understand the experience of being an Anishinabe man healer. Of particular relevance, healers explained how they provide Indigenous health care in a world dominated by Western biomedicine. DESIGN: A phenomenological approach was utilized to interview four Anishinabe men healers who reside in the United States and Canada. METHOD: In-person interviews were conducted using an interview guide. The interviews were audiotaped when permitted; otherwise notes were taken. Data analysis was conducted using techniques from Colaizzi and van Manen. FINDINGS: Seven themes were identified: (1) The Healer's Path, (2) Health as Wholeness, (3) Healing Ways, (4) Healing Stories, (5) Culture Interwoven with Healing, (6) Healing Exchange, and (7) Connection with Western Medicine. CONCLUSIONS: The themes identified inform nursing practice by pointing out the importance of culture within traditional Indigenous healing, as well as the need for a holistic approach when caring for Indigenous people. Additionally, the Indigenous men healers acknowledged their connection with Western medicine as part of the process of healing for their clients. This emphasizes the need for nurses and other health care providers to become knowledgeable regarding traditional Indigenous healing that their clients may be receiving, in order to foster open communication.

Research careers for American Indian/Alaska Native nurses: pathway to elimination of health disparities.

The health status of American Indians/Alaska Natives lags behind that of the US population. American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) nurses are on the front lines of health services for AIAN people. They have the potential to make scientific contributions as well, but are under-represented among researchers working to understand health disparities. The AIAN MS-to-PhD Nursing Science Bridge, at the University of Minnesota, in partnership with the Universities of North Dakota and Oklahoma, provides support for AIAN nurses during the critical training transition from masters of science to doctoral programs. Partner schools collaborate with AIAN elders, medicine people/spiritual leaders, and academic consultants to (1) foster academic success and strengthen the AIAN identity of students during their research training and (2) bring about institutional change to optimize student experiences. Future research programs developed by this cadre of AIAN nurse scientists will contribute scientifically sound, culturally acceptable knowledge to effectively improve the health of AIAN people.

Strengthening American Indian nurse scientist training through tradition: partnering with elders.

American Indian elders have long been the grandparents to not only their own relatives but also other 'grandchildren' in their tribes, clans and extended families. This worldview demands an elder-youth connection and has been integral to the success of the "American Indian MS to PhD Nursing Science Bridge" at the University of Minnesota, School of Nursing. Elders support the program mission to increase the number (from 12) of doctorally prepared Native nurses. They have been participants in formal and informal programming, special advising, and presence from reservations and in urban Minneapolis. Program feedback reveals cultural value in the elders' presence.

Creating a healing community: the role for physicians and nurses.

Most of what is written and said about healing is focused on the individual and their personal pursuit of the experience of being healed. The Healing Community shifts that focus to a larger perspective. Indigenous people have recognized the importance of community for centuries, identifying the worst possible consequence for behavior as banishment or exile from their community, not death. In the holistic view, life and death are seen as being on a continuum that occurs within a community, with all being valued. It is time to release our self-imposed and society endorsed exile from what truly heals our relationship with a greater Power and each other.

Traditional indigenous healing: Part I.

Traditional indigenous healing is widely used today, as it has been since time immemorial. This article describes the following areas in regards to traditional healing: (a) an explanation of indigenous peoples, (b) a definition of traditional indigenous healing, (c) a portrayal of traditional healers, (d) health within indigenous culture, (e) traditional healing techniques, (f) utilization of traditional healing, (g) how to find a traditional healer, and (h) comparing traditional healing principles with mainstream ways. It is important to have knowledge about this method of holistic healing so health care providers and nurses can integrate it into the health care for individuals and/or families that choose traditional indigenous healing.