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Determinants of socioemotional and behavioral well-being among First Nations children living off-reserve in Canada: A cross-sectional study

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Author: 
Owais, S., Ospina, M. B., Ford, C. D., Hill, T., Lai, J., Krzeczkowski, J., Burack, J. A., & Van Lieshout, R. J.
Format: 
Article
Publication Date: 
12 Nov 2024

Abstract
Few studies have focused on off-reserve Indigenous children and families. This nationally representative, cross-sectional study (data collected from 2006 to 2007) examined Indigenous- and non-Indigenous-specific determinants associated with positive socioemotional and behavioral well-being among First Nations children living off-reserve in Canada. The parents or other caregivers of 2990 two-to-five-year-old children (M = 3.65; 50.6% male) reported on their children's socioemotional and behavioral well-being and a range of child, parent, and housing characteristics. Being taught an Indigenous culture, greater community cohesion, caregiver nurturance, good parental/other caregiver health, and fewer household members were associated with better socioemotional and behavioral well-being. These results highlight the importance of leveraging Indigenous-specific determinants and acknowledging non-Indigenous-specific factors, to promote the well-being of First Nations children living off-reserve.

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