Results :: Individual ETD
Title: Attitudes and Beliefs about Tobacco of Fifth and Sixth Grade Students on the Crow Reservation
Creator: Stigen, Laurissa Louise
Description: The purpose of this thesis project was to learn about the attitudes and beliefs about tobacco use of fifth- and sixth-grade students on the Crow Reservation and to investigate how the students comprehend the difference between ceremonial and habitual tobacco use. Tobacco use has many detrimental health effects, and research shows that tobacco is widely used among various Native American tribes. Many tribes use tobacco in ceremonies for praying, celebrating, and healing. However, the tobacco related health problems Native Americans suffer from are caused by habitual use and not from ceremonial use. Therefore, when designing a tobacco prevention or cessation program for Native Americans, the understanding of the role tobacco has in the tribe and the need for cultural sensitivity is extremely important. Data from eight focus groups was analyzed in this qualitative study. The focus groups took place on in Lodge Grass Elementary School in Lodge Grass, Montana, a community on the Crow Reservation. There were 82 participants in the focus groups from two fifthgrade and two sixth-grade classes. Inductive, cross-case content analysis was done on the transcribed information from the focus group discussions with assistance from QSR NVIVO, a multifunctional software system for qualitative research. In summary, the focus groups provided insight to the student's thought on; • The prevalence of tobacco use. • The health effects of tobacco use. • The distinction between ceremonial and habitual tobacco use. • The role the school, friends, family, and the media play in tobacco use. • The relationship between tobacco and other drugs. • Suggestions to keep students from using tobacco. This research provides a starting point to learn more about the beliefs and attitudes of youth on the Crow Reservation and to understand how they see the difference between ceremonial and habitual tobacco use. In addition, this research may be used by educators to help develop educational programs about tobacco use for youth on the Crow Reservation.
Document Type: Masters
Contributor: Christopher, Suzanne (committee chairperson)
Committee Members: Tim Dunnagan, John Christopher
Department: Health & Human Development
Program: Health and Human Development
Publisher: Montana State University
Date Created: 2004-08-15
Access Rights: Accessible under copyright for educational purposes.