Fore C L, Chaney J M
Acoma-Cañoncito-Laguna Hospital, Behavioral Health Department, San Fidel, New Mexico 87049, USA.
Am Indian Alsk Nativ Ment Health Res (1987). 1998;8(2):46-55.
American Indians are the most under-represented minority group across all levels of education. The present study investigates sociocultural, psychological, and nontraditional academic factors that influence American Indian students' decisions to pursue higher education (e.g., vocational training, college). Nineteen American Indians with previous academic difficulties completed several self-report measures at the beginning of an eight-week Job Corps. program. The results indicate that students who pursue educational opportunities have a more realistic self-appraisal of their academic abilities and are supported by others (e.g., family, mentors) in their academic pursuits. A hypothesized link between self-appraisal and support suggests that the availability of a mentor and/or family support is crucial in American Indian students' decision to pursue educational opportunities.
在各级教育中，美国印第安人是代表性最不足的少数群体。本研究调查了影响美国印第安学生追求高等教育（如职业培训、大学教育）决策的社会文化、心理和非传统学术因素。19名曾有学业困难的美国印第安人在为期八周的职业培训团项目开始时完成了几项自我报告测评。结果表明，追求教育机会的学生对自己的学术能力有更现实的自我评价，并且在其学业追求中得到他人（如家人、导师）的支持。自我评估与支持之间的一种假设联系表明，导师和/或家庭支持的可获得性在美国印第安学生追求教育机会的决策中至关重要。
