Health-Seeking Behaviors of Native American Indians With Persistent Mental Illness: Completing the Circle

Nationally, disparity exists in the delivery of mental health services to minority groups, and an imperative exists that expects culturally responsive care. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to discover health-seeking practices used by Native American Indians (NAIs) with persistent mental illness (PMI). Eighteen interviews were examined using constant comparative analysis. Health-seeking practices emerged as two central categories: health engagement strategy and avoidant strategy. This research assists mental health caregivers in approaching the NAI with PMI in a culturally responsive manner by providing a NAI's perception of health and knowledge of their health-seeking behaviors/practices.