Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Request for reprints should be sent to Chantelle A. We examined the importance of social support in promoting thriving health among indigenous Canadians, a disadvantaged population.
We categorized the self-reported health status of adult indigenous 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 logistic 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.
Social support is a strong determinant of thriving health, particularly among women. Research that emphasizes thriving represents a positive and necessary turn in the indigenous health discourse. Researchers have taken a keen interest in the determinants of indigenous health, 5 including poverty, 6 β 10 violence, 11 and access to health care. Particularly useful is the recognition that indigenous concepts of health are shaped by larger social dynamics, including family, community, nature, and Creator.
Such an approach represents a critical turn for indigenous health researchers. The health-protective properties of social support are well established. Emotional support refers to guidance and feedback that may help a person find a solution to a problem. Tangible support refers to material aid, such as having someone take you to the doctor.
