Cultural Connectedness & Life Satisfaction

Problem & Motivation

Urban Indigenous communities face disproportionately high rates of psychological distress, depression, and suicide. Existing mental health tools, like the PHQ-9, focus on risk thresholds but do not capture strength-based protective factors. The Cultural Connectedness Scale–California (CCS‑CA) measures engagement with Indigenous culture—identity, traditions, and spirituality—which research shows correlates with improved mental health outcomes. However, CCS‑CA lacks validated thresholds for identifying individuals with high hope and positive mental health, limiting its practical application for Native-serving organizations and policy advocacy. This project aims to determine “high hope / good mental health” thresholds for CCS‑CA scores, enabling culturally grounded, evidence-based interventions.

Data Source & Approach

We use the CCS‑CA dataset (N=290) collected by the Native American Health Center, which includes CCS‑CA subscale scores, demographic data (age, birth sex, gender, tribal affiliation), and mental health indicators (HHI, SWLS, HRQOL-14). The minimal viable product (MVP) applies ROC analysis and the Youden Index to identify optimal CCS‑CA thresholds associated with positive mental health outcomes. Additional analyses examine subscale contributions and correlations with psychological well-being.

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the Native American Health Center for providing the CCS‑CA dataset, our academic advisors, and all community members who contributed to the original research. Key literature includes Masotti et al. (2023), Snowshoe et al. (2015, 2017), Chandler & Lalonde (1998), and Gone (2013).