Alcohol is the psychoactive substance most frequently used by young people, non-Natives and Aboriginals, and most of those who use tobacco or drugs also use alcohol. Young Aboriginal people are also identified as being at risk of drinking alcohol at a young age, and of drinking alcohol frequently or excessively. This can result in negative consequences, in the short and long term: acute intoxication, suicidal acts, legalization, injuries, school difficulties, addiction, chronic illnesses, cancers and death.
This knowledge synthesis is intended for public health and Indigenous health actors. It aims to enrich the understanding of the factors likely to influence and determine the consumption of alcohol among young Aboriginal people aged 7 to 18 years. Several factors can contribute to alcohol consumption among these young people, while others can delay or reduce it. Because of the repercussions of the discriminatory and assimilating policies that the indigenous populations still suffer to this day, it is important to consider their historical, socioeconomic and cultural specificities in the analysis of these factors.
Main findings:
- The majority of the studies selected for this knowledge synthesis examined the effect of risk factors. However, some protective factors are also presented: cultivating a positive attitude towards school and a negative attitude towards alcohol; maintaining good family relationships; reside in one of the three Territories of Canada (Nunavut, Yukon and Northwest); participate in traditional Aboriginal activities and have a sense of identity and socio-cultural pride.
- Factors resulting from individual experience such as psychological distress, stressful or violent events and dropping out of school are linked to more consumption. Behaviors and attitudes conducive to risk taking (eg adopting delinquent behaviours, using cigarettes or cannabis, intending to consume alcohol) are also associated with increased consumption.
- Relationship factors can affect consumption. The behaviors of consumption of psychoactive substances and delinquency by peers are the determinants most cited in the studies selected. These behaviors occupy an important place in the knowledge of the explanatory factors of substance use among young Aboriginal people. Similarly, the psychological unavailability of parents is linked to more consumption behaviors among young Aboriginal people.
- Sociocultural factors such as racial discrimination are associated with greater alcohol consumption. Sociocultural factors are the ones that were least often assessed in the studies included.
Two promising courses of action emerge:
- Consider peer, family and community strengths, not just individual problems or deficits. To do this, prevention strategies that extend to family, school and community environments, that encourage contact between young people with peers who do not use drugs and that strengthen parent-adolescent communication can be beneficial.
- Building on indigenous cultures, identities, traditions and knowledge. Integrating protective factors such as sense of identity and participation in cultural, spiritual and traditional activities into prevention strategies appears to be a promising avenue for reducing and preventing alcohol consumption. The creation of culturally safe prevention strategies, resources and services for Aboriginal youth should be considered.