Risk and Protective Factors for Mental Health among American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Older Adults in the United States.

ADL and IADL limitations were the largest risk factors for poor mental health among AI/AN/NH Elders.

• Data came from the 2017-2020 Identifying Our Needs (ION): A Survey of Elders needs assessment.
• The sample included 19,143 AI/AN/NH Elders receiving nutrition, socialization, and caregiver-assistance services through Title VI of the Older Americans Act.
• ADL limitations refer to basic self-care tasks, while IADL limitations refer to more complex daily activities.
• The association was identified through multivariate analysis of survey data.

Engagement in social activity was the strongest protective factor for mental health among AI/AN/NH Elders.

• Social engagement was assessed as part of the ION survey of 19,143 AI/AN/NH Elders.
• Social activity showed a stronger protective association with mental health than cultural activity engagement.
• The finding supported the authors' hypothesis that social engagement is a protective factor for mental health.

Frequent engagement in traditional cultural activities was protective for mental health status among AI/AN/NH Elders.

• Cultural activity engagement was one of the hypothesized protective factors tested in the analysis.
• The finding confirmed the authors' hypothesis that cultural engagement is a protective factor.
• The sample included AI/AN/NH Elders from Title VI program participants surveyed between 2017 and 2020.

Grandparent caregiver status was associated with poorer mental health among AI/AN/NH Elders.

• Being a grandparent who serves as a primary caregiver for their grandchildren was associated with lower mental health scores.
• This finding confirmed the authors' hypothesis that grandparent caregiver status would be associated with lower mental health scores.
• The association was identified within the larger sample of 19,143 AI/AN/NH Elders participating in the ION survey.

The study analyzed data from 19,143 AI/AN/NH Elders participating in the ION needs assessment conducted between 2017 and 2020.

• Participants were receiving nutrition, socialization, and caregiver-assistance services through Title VI of the Older Americans Act.
• The survey was titled 'Identifying Our Needs (ION): A Survey of Elders.'
• The study population included American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian older adults.
• The study examined multiple hypothesized risk and protective factors including family engagement, cultural engagement, social engagement, ADL/IADL limitations, and grandparent caregiver status.

The authors identify a need for expanded funding for Indigenous-serving programs to support both cultural and personal/family services for the growing AI/AN/NH Elder population.

• The AI/AN/NH population living into old age is described as growing.
• Risk and protective factors for AI/AN/NH Elder mental health are described as 'poorly described' prior to this study.
• The recommendation encompasses both cultural programming and personal/family service support.
• The authors note histories of loss and discrimination as context for mental health risk in this population.