Comparing American Indian and non-Indians
citation
Schrader, S., Nelson, M., & Eidsness, L. (2009). "Reflections on end of life: Comparison of American Indian and non-Indian peoples in South Dakota." American Indian Culture & Research Journal 33 (2): 67-87.
abstract
The purpose of this research is to compare end-of-life (EOL) attitudes and actions between American Indian and non-Indian peoples in South Dakota during 2005. Questionnaires were sent to 10,000 South Dakota households. Of the 2533 respondents (24.8% return rate), 71 identified themselves as American Indian. Data were entered into the computer using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, and an interdisciplinary team analyzed the data. A resulting typology (i.e., spirituality, family, health care, and self) framed the subsequent analysis. The study provides a profile of American Indian respondents' attitudes, preferences, and actions related to EOL. Further analysis reveals few differences among American Indian respondents by sex and age. Significant differences emerge when considering non-Indian versus American Indians' interactions with health care (physicians and settings) and pain; similarities among American Indian and non-Indian respondents were also revealed in the data. Findings suggest that education addressing pain treatment, services, and cultural awareness should be addressed, and transmission of findings to agencies working with American Indian communities and families is merited. Recommendations for future research are discussed. EJ867169