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This study examined data from the 2017 Aboriginal Peoples Survey to consider predictors of land-based activity engagement. We hypothesized that higher self-reported mental and physical health scores, an increased sense of cultural belonging, living in a rural community, and no prior individual or family history of residential school attendance would predict a higher frequency of land-based activity engagement among First Nations individuals living off-reserve. Results from linear regression analyses suggested that an increased sense of cultural belonging, being male, and living in a rural community with a population of less than 1000 people were significant predictors of the frequency of land-based activity engagement. With these preliminary findings, further research can explore how physical and mental health outcomes influence the frequency of land-based activity engagement, in addition to how community-specific indicators may promote higher frequency of these activities, particularly among First Nations individuals living off-reserve.

Electronic health interventions involve health services delivered using the Internet and related communication technologies. These services can be particularly relevant for Indigenous populations who often have differential access to health-care services compared to general populations, especially within rural and remote areas. As the popularity of electronic health interventions grows, there is an increased need for evidence-based recommendations for the effective use of these technologies. The current study is a systematic review of peer-reviewed and available grey literature with the aim of understanding outcomes of electronic health interventions for mental health concerns among Indigenous people. Studies used electronic health technologies for substance use treatment or prevention, suicide prevention, parenting supports, goal setting and behaviour change and consultation services. Various technological platforms were used across interventions, with both novel and adapted intervention development. Most studies provided qualitative results, with fewer studies focusing on quantitative outcomes. Some preliminary results from the engagement of Indigenous individuals with electronic health services has been demonstrated, but further research is needed to confirm these results. Identified barriers and facilitators are identified from the reviewed literature. Recommendations for future development of electronic health interventions for Indigenous youth are provided.

Objective Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is linked to disruptions in typical neurodevelopment of brain structures and functioning, including changes in executive functions. Although the relationships among ACEs, executive functions, and psychopathology are well documented in pediatric samples, a systematic review is needed to examine these relationships in adulthood. Method A systematic review examining the link between ACEs and executive functions among adult clinical and nonclinical samples was conducted across 33 scientific and grey literature databases. Among reviewed studies, 17 sources met review criteria, with 11 involving clinical samples and six involving nonclinical samples. Results Among clinical samples, evidence suggested that ACEs increased risk for executive function difficulties among those diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and those experiencing a first episode of psychosis, however not within those diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Among nonclinical samples, executive function difficulties associated with ACEs were found among those in early and middle adulthood. Not all retrieved sources showed consistent findings, and two studies described better executive function outcomes among those who experienced childhood sexual abuse and emotional abuse. Conclusions Executive function difficulties associated with ACEs appear to persist into adulthood, though inconsistently. Future research may further explore distinct differences among specific ACEs and executive function difficulties to further inform ongoing prevention and treatment efforts.

Examining treatment outcomes of nonresidential and residential treatment programs may suggest best practices for Indigenous communities delivering treatment services. A systematic review of peer-reviewed and gray literatures comparing treatment outcomes for Indigenous populations was completed. Three studies compared treatment outcomes and reported varying results. Reported outcomes were retention and relapse rates, cultural knowledge, and participant treatment duration. Most retrieved studies described residential treatment outcomes, but it was unclear whether this modality is the best option for Indigenous people seeking treatment. Further research describing treatment modalities, across a continuum of care, situated within culturally developed treatment frameworks is required.

There is a high prevalence of Indigenous youth experiencing either precarious housing or homelessness in northwestern Ontario. Given that Indigenous pathways to homelessness can differ from non-Indigenous youth, interventions that address homelessness must also adapt to meet diverse needs. The Housing Outreach Program Collaborative (HOP-C) is a tertiary prevention intervention designed to provide congruent housing and peer and mental health supports for youth experiencing homelessness in Toronto, Ontario. Less is known regarding its adaptability to adequately serve Indigenous youth in northwestern Ontario. This study assessed the preliminary effectiveness and feasibility of an adaptation of the HOP-C North program for transitional aged Indigenous youth exiting homelessness in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Participants completed premeasures (n = 15) and postmeasures (n = 8) as well as qualitative interviews regarding their experiences in the program. Qualitative interviews were also conducted with staff (n = 14) engaged in implementing the program. After completing the HOP-C North program, participants reported improvements in a number of outcomes, including increased educational enrollment, attainment of employment, reduced hospitalizations, and increased engagement in clinical mental health services. Specific program aspects that participants found helpful included increased program flexibility, accessibility, emphasis on relationships, relevance of programming, fostering participant autonomy, and an adaptive approach to program implementation. These findings suggest that the HOP-C North model, when adapted, is a helpful program for Indigenous youth. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Background Conducting culturally-relevant research with Indigenous populations requires a balance of approaches that benefit Indigenous communities, while perceiving and mitigating the potential risk of harm when engaging in research-related activities. Reducing the burden of research is especially useful for research with Indigenous populations as ongoing systemic marginalization and discrimination through historical colonial practices may result in a higher likelihood of experiencing harm from research activities. One way to ensure that stakeholder experiences with the research processes are not burdensome, and to understand how study implementation practices are perceived across research teams, supporting organizations, and individual participants is to build this into the study method. Objective The current study describes stakeholder experiences within a broader research study, entitled the First Nations ACE Study, which examined early childhood experiences and health outcomes for Indigenous people seeking treatment for substance use. Participants and setting Five treatment centre staff participated in ongoing consultations with the research team and described their experiences within a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) study. Method A document review of client satisfaction questionnaires of seventy-five participants provided quantitative feedback on experiences in addition to qualitative interviews with staff. Results Overall, experiences of both treatment centre staff and clients were generally positive. Additional results described the importance of continuous stakeholder participation, and ongoing study adaptations to remain aligned with CBPR approaches as pressure for expediency and convenience have the potential to encroach upon CBPR values. The study method was described to mitigate participant and staff burden, as well as risk of participant harm. Conclusions Directions for future research are discussed, including discussion of modifications that will be made to future iterations of the presented research study.

Background The relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and detrimental poor mental health outcomes has been increasingly explored within scientific literature since the original ACE study was published by Felitti et al. (1998). Given that deficits in executive functions (EF) are prominent in most forms of psychopathology across the lifespan, there is utility in considering how ACEs relate to EF outcomes. Objective To consolidate the research to date on the relationship between ACEs and EF outcomes among child samples. Methods A systematic review was conducted that included 16 scientific databases and 17 grey literatures. Results Across 36 studies, many examined EF related to forms of maltreatment (e.g. abuse, neglect, and exposure to intimate partner violence) and found a strong relationship between maltreatment and EF deficits among children. Similarly, family member mental illness (maternal depression in particular) was associated with poor EF outcomes. The relationship between other ACEs and EF outcomes have not been uniquely examined, including intimate partner violence and family member incarceration. Conclusions This review acts as a preliminary step towards broader understanding of outcomes related to early childhood experiences through the consideration of EFs. Through documentation of such relationships, it is possible to consider how prevention and treatment approaches may be improved.

Evaluation of an eHealth platform, Intelligent Research and Intervention Software was undertaken via cross-sectional survey of staff users and application performance monitoring. The platform is used to deliver psychosocial interventions across a range of clinical contexts, project scopes, and delivery modalities (e.g. hybrid telehealth, fully online self-managed, randomized control trials, and clinical service delivery). Intelligent Research and Intervention Software supports persuasive technology elements (e.g. tailoring, reminders, and personalization) as well as staff management tools. Results from the System Usability Scale involving 30 Staff and Administrative users across multiple projects were positive with overall mean score of 70 (“Acceptable”). The mean score for “Usability” sub-scale was 82 and for “Learnability” sub-scale 61. There were no significant differences in perceptions of usability across user groups or levels of experience. Application performance management analytics (e.g. Application Performance Index scores) across two test sites indicate the software platform is robust and reliable when compared to industry standards. Intelligent Research and Intervention Software is successfully operating as a flexible platform for creating, delivering, and evaluating eHealth interventions.