Date of Award

2022

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology

Specialization

Clinical Psychology

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Nichea Spillane

Abstract

Introduction: Optimal subjective well-being is comprised of high levels of positive affect, low levels of negative affect, and overall satisfaction with one’s life. Some literature has connected each component of subjective well-being with health risk behaviors including alcohol use and risky sexual behavior. While there is diversity in rates of alcohol use and risky sexual behavior among North American Indigenous (NAI) populations, they experience disproportionate rates of negative consequences associated with these behaviors (e.g., physical, social, legal). Approaches to reducing health disparities that emphasize improving well-being may be well-accepted among NAI communities given their calls to focus on protective, rather than risk, factors. The goal of the present study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of carrying out a fully-remote daily diary study and to examine the associations among affect, alcohol use, and risky sexual behavior in a sample of First Nation adults.

Methods: Community-based participatory research (CBPR) methods were used to develop the study question and design study procedures. Six First Nation adults (4 female, 2 male) completed the baseline survey and three completed daily surveys. Participants completed questionnaires on affect, alcohol use, and risky sexual behaviors, as well as a questionnaire on reactions to participating in the daily phase of the research study.

Results: The three participants who were eligible to complete daily surveys (i.e., those who reported past-month alcohol use and sexual activity on the baseline questionnaire) completed a total of 13 surveys (out of a possible 42). The single participant who provided feedback on their experiences with completing daily surveys rated them positively overall. On average, participants reported consuming alcohol on 4 days out of the past month (SD = 4.05), and drinking 3.17 standard drinks per drinking occasion (SD = 3.43). Four participants reported engaging in any risky sexual behavior in the past month at baseline. With few exceptions, positive affect was negatively correlated with medium effect sizes and negative affect was positively correlated with medium effect sizes with alcohol and risky sex variables.

Discussion: Challenges experienced during study activities shed important light on considerations for conducting a community-based participatory research study fully remotely in the context on an ongoing global pandemic and highlight lessons learned that can inform future research activities.

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