Understanding Social Determinants of First Nations Health Using a Four-Domain Model of Health and Wellness Based on the Medicine Wheel: Findings from a Community Survey in One First Nation

Bryan Tanner, Sara Plain, Tracey George, Julie George, Christopher J. Mushquash, Sharon Bernards, Melody Morton Ninomiya and Samantha Wells
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Bryan Tanner: Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 100 Collip Circle, London, ON N6G 4X8, Canada
Sara Plain: E’Mino Bmaad-Zijig Health Centre, Aamjiwnaang First Nation, 1300 Tashmoo Ave, Sarnia, ON N7T 7H5, Canada
Tracey George: E’Mino Bmaad-Zijig Health Centre, Aamjiwnaang First Nation, 1300 Tashmoo Ave, Sarnia, ON N7T 7H5, Canada
Julie George: Mental Health, Addiction and Violence Support Program, Kettle & Stony Point Health Services, A-6275 Indian Lane, Kettle & Stony Point First Nation, Lambton Shores, ON N0N 1J1, Canada
Christopher J. Mushquash: Department of Psychology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Rd, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada
Sharon Bernards: Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 100 Collip Circle, London, ON N6G 4X8, Canada
Melody Morton Ninomiya: Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 100 Collip Circle, London, ON N6G 4X8, Canada
Samantha Wells: Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 100 Collip Circle, London, ON N6G 4X8, Canada

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 5, 1-10

Abstract: We examined the explanatory roles of social determinants of health (SDOH) for First Nations people using a four-domain model of health and wellness based on the Medicine Wheel (i.e., physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health), including colonial-linked stressors (i.e., historical trauma, childhood adversities, racial discrimination) and cultural resilience factors (i.e., cultural strengths, traditional healing practices, social support). Data were collected in partnership with a First Nation in Ontario, Canada in 2013 through a community survey ( n = 194). For each outcome (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health), a modified Poisson regression model estimated prevalence ratios for the SDOH, adjusting for age, sex, education, and marital status. Negative associations were found for historical trauma with physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health; for childhood adversities with mental health; and for racial discrimination with physical, mental, and emotional health. Positive associations were found for cultural strengths with physical, mental, and emotional health and for social support with physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. We observed negative associations between use of traditional healing practices and mental and emotional health. Our findings suggest that these SDOH may play important roles in relation to wellness through associations with the domains of health modelled by the Medicine Wheel.

Keywords: First Nations; colonialism; resilience; epidemiology; discrimination; Medicine Wheel (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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