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Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been associated with increased mental health difficulties across a lifespan. Given increased health disparities among Indigenous populations compared to non-Indigenous populations, screening for ACEs is particularly relevant as it can inform future preventative care and treatment approaches. There has been no literature to date about how to best integrate these practices into routine psychological assessment with Indigenous clients. We describe five recommendations for assessing ACEs with Indigenous clients that are based on anecdotal research and clinical practices but aligned with standard evidence-based assessment practices. The preliminary recommendations for ACE assessment are: (1) determine the relevance of the assessment, (2) convey a sense of purpose and meaning during assessment, (3) use therapeutic assessment techniques, (4) use the ACE model for further client psychoeducation, and (5) use culturally relevant measurement techniques. These suggestions may provide a more meaningful and culturally relevant psychological assessment, but research is needed to support them.

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.

Health concerns in Indigenous people are often greater in comparison to those in non-Indigenous populations, including increased rates of chronic diseases and mental health concerns. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may be an explanatory variable for such heightened rates of mental and physical health difficulties for Indigenous populations as these communities have experienced a lack of adequate health care due to remoteness, historical traumas, cultural insensitivity, racism, and perpetuating systemic discrimination. To date, relatively few studies have examined ACEs within an Indigenous population and their relevance to both physical and mental health outcomes. The present study explored existing ACE literature relevant to Indigenous populations and mental or physical health outcomes by retrieving and organizing available ACE literature. A systematic review was conducted using 14 electronic databases of peer-reviewed literature and 18 grey literature databases. Twenty-one publications investigating general health outcomes and prevalence of ACEs met eligibility criteria. ACEs were reported to be higher in Indigenous populations when compared to non-Indigenous population. Higher ACE scores for Indigenous participants were associated with increased rates of suicidality and psychological distress. Protective factors to reduce the impact of ACEs were cultural identity and connectedness, education, social support, and psychological resilience. Future research may further explore the relationship between ACE scores and protective factors, varying prevalence within specific sub-populations, and consistent reporting of outcomes across studies. Ongoing research has the potential to clarify existing dose–response relationships between early traumatic experiences and current health disparities experienced within some Indigenous communities.

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 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.