Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Research Scholarships - Master's program

Indigenous boys and men remain significantly underrepresented in mental health research, despite experiencing disproportionate social inequities and mental health challenges. They are also less likely to endorse mental health challenges and seek help. Evidence indicates that presentations of psychological distress differ both by gender and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. To address the underrepresentation of Indigenous boys and men in mental health research, the present study aims to illustrate and compare patterns of reported psychological distress among Indigenous and non-Indigenous boys and men using network analysis of Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) items. This study will draw on existing data from the ACCESS Open Minds National Youth Mental Health Network, which includes youth aged 11–25 years who were referred or self-referred for services across diverse sites in Canada. Network analysis of K10 items and sociodemographic variables will be conducted in R to identify symptom structures within each group, examine how symptoms cluster together, and determine which items serve as central or bridge symptoms. Comparing network structures across groups will deepen our understanding of how distress manifests differently for Indigenous and non-Indigenous boys and men. This research responds to the call for more research on the mental health and wellness of Indigenous boys and men. Findings from this project will inform the development and adaptation of mental health and wellness assessment services, supports, and interventions that are responsive to the experiences, cultural contexts, and strengths of Indigenous and non-Indigenous boys and men.