Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2007
Volume
97
Journal
American Journal of Public Health
Issue
9
First Page
1827
Last Page
1833
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.2105/AJPH.2006.096917
Abstract
Objectives. We examined the importance of social support in promoting thriv- ing health among indigenous Canadians, a disadvantaged population.
Methods. We categorized the self-reported health status of 31 625 adult indig- enous Canadians as thriving (excellent, very good) or nonthriving (good, fair, poor). We measured social support with indices of positive interaction, emotional support, tangible support, and affection and intimacy. We used multivariable lo- gistic regression analyses to estimate odds of reporting thriving health, using social support as the key independent variable, and we controlled for educational attainment and labor force status.
Results. Compared with women reporting low levels of social support, those reporting high levels of positive interaction (odds ratio [OR] = 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.2, 1.6), emotional support (OR=2.1; 95% CI=1.8, 2.4), and tangi- ble support (OR=1.4; 95% CI=1.2, 1.5) were significantly more likely to report thriving health. Among men, only emotional support was significantly related to thriving health (OR=1.7; 95% CI=1.5, 1.9). Thriving health status was also sig- nificantly mediated by age, aboriginal status (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit), edu- cational attainment, and labor force status.
Conclusions. Social support is a strong determinant of thriving health, partic- ularly among women. Research that emphasizes thriving represents a positive and necessary turn in the indigenous health discourse.
