Monica C Skewes
Biographic Data
| ID | 288826 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Monica C Skewes |
| GIVEN NAMES | Monica C |
| FAMILY NAME | Skewes |
| SIGNATURE | SKEWES M C |
| AFFILIATIONS | Montana State University |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-9362-9825 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 25 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 37 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 25 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2006 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Methamphetamine Use, Post-Traumatic Stress, and Substance Use Consequences Among American Indians with a Substance Use Problem
OBJECTIVE: This manuscript explores the relationship between methamphetamine as the primary drug of choice, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and adverse consequences of alcohol/drug use in a sample of American Indian (AI) people who self-identified as having a current substance use problem. METHOD: Using a Community-Based Participatory Research framework, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with 198 AI tribal members experienci…
Indigenous research sovereignty within academia: Challenges and opportunities
Indigenous Peoples' inherent right to self-determination includes authority over research, yet university systems centralize control in ways that constrain Indigenous sovereignty. This article examines how academic institutional structures and processes-well beyond the actions of individual researchers-shape the possibilities and limitations of Indigenous-focused research within universities. Drawing on a collaborative, story-based process involv…
Grief and Historical Trauma Among American Indian and Alaska Native Populations: A Cluster Analysis
American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities face significant social, economic, and health disparities rooted in historical traumas stemming from colonization. These disparities manifest in disproportionate rates of poverty, unemployment, and early mortality among AI/AN populations. High rates of premature deaths contribute to a persistent cycle of grief and loss, perpetuating mental and physical health problems. The current study explor…
A Psychometric Evaluation of the Reasons for Limiting Heavy Drinking Scale in a National Sample of College Students
Background: Understanding college students’ reasons for limiting heavy drinking can inform and enhance harm reduction initiatives. Objectives: This study provided further psychometric evaluation of the Reasons for Limiting Heavy Drinking (RFLHD) scale, including model fit, construct validity, and test–retest reliability, among two national samples of college students across the United States. Study 1 consisted of 537 college students (Mage = 19.4…
Relationship between social support and substance use among American Indian people with a self-identified substance use problem
Network substance use behavior was a better predictor of participant substance use outcomes than general support, substance-specific support, or support for recovery/treatment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Attitudes regarding harm-reduction and abstinence intervention strategies for alcohol problems among American Indian/Alaska Native college students
AI/AN students who drink perceived no difference in effectiveness between HR and AO strategies and were more confident in their abilities to utilize HR strategies over AO. Regardless of drinking status, participants perceived they would have greater social support for HR compared with AO strategies from friends and family. The findings indicate that HR intervention strategies may be a socially valid intervention option for AI/AN college students.…
Concerns About Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Among American Indian Community Members: A Qualitative Secondary Analysis
Opioid use disorder and mortality due to opioid overdose pose significant public health problems in the United States, particularly among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities that experience disproportionately high rates of opioid overdose deaths. Such health inequities are related to centuries of ongoing colonization and oppression that inform social determinants of health today. Using medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD)…
Development and Preliminary Validation of the Complicated and Adaptive Grief Inventory for Native Americans
Grief research among American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) people has been limited to studies on historical trauma and elevated mortality rates among AI/ANs. A lack of validated measures is one barrier to grief research with AI/ANs. Therefore, we conducted three studies to develop and validate a culturally congruent measure of grief. In Study 1, interviews were conducted with 12 AI reservation-based community members to understand perspecti…
Association of racism and substance use treatment with belief in the myth of an American Indian/Alaska Native biological vulnerability to alcohol problems
Greater systemic and interpersonal racism were associated with belief in a BV, and greater ethnic identity buffered the association between interpersonal racism and BV belief. This suggests that both combatting racism and fostering positive ethnic identity may help to lessen BV belief. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
Mental Health Risk Profiles and Related Substance Use During Coronavirus Pandemic Among College Students Who Use Substances
Beliefs about causal factors for suicide in rural Alaska Native communities and recommendations for prevention
Rural Indigenous communities in Alaska suffer staggeringly high rates of suicide. In close-knit Alaska Native villages, each suicide leaves a trail of affected family and community members in its wake. This research aimed to understand community perceptions of what causes suicide in rural Alaska Native villages and generate recommendations for prevention strategies. In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 Alaska Native university students who …
College students’ perspectives on healing following an unwanted sexual experience
Determinants of Relapse and Opportunities for Growth: Perspectives on Substance Use among American Indian Community Members
Resulting from generations of historical oppression and systemic racism, American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities experience serious health disparities associated with substance use disorders (SUDs). As part of a longstanding community-based participatory research intervention development project, our partnership of academic and community co-researchers conducted seven focus groups ( N = 35) to understand community stakeholders' pers…
A Systematic Review of Trauma Interventions in Native Communities
American Indian/Alaska Native and First Nations communities suffer from health disparities associated with multiple forms of trauma exposure. Culturally appropriate interventions are needed to heal current and historical trauma wounds. Although there are evidence‐based trauma interventions for other populations, few have been implemented or evaluated with Native communities. Understanding the extant research on trauma interventions in Native comm…
Belief in the American Indian/Alaska Native biological vulnerability myth and drinking to cope: Does stereotype threat play a role
Objectives: The effects of stereotype threat and internalized alcohol stereotypes on negative affect and negative affect-related drinking have not been examined in American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs), despite their frequently being subjected to alcohol stereotypes. The current study examined the association of belief in the myth of an AI/AN specific biological vulnerability (BV) with alcohol consequences through its effect on depression and …
Health Disparities Research with American Indian Communities: The Importance of Trust and Transparency
American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities experience notable health disparities associated with substance use, including disproportionate rates of accidents/injuries, diabetes, liver disease, suicide, and substance use disorders. Effective treatments for substance use are needed to improve health equity for AI/AN communities. However, an unfortunate history of unethical and stigmatizing research has engendered distrust and reluctance …
Negative life events and incident alcohol use disorders among ethnic minorities
The association of negative life events (NLEs) with incident alcohol use disorders (AUDs) was examined among Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites in the second wave of the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) among 3,679 participants without AUDs at the first wave. The number of past-year NLEs at NCS-2 was higher for Black than White participants, but the rates of incident AUDs did not differ by racial/ethnic group (14.2% among all participants). Past-year…
Partnering with Native Communities to Develop a Culturally Grounded Intervention for Substance Use Disorder
Studies have documented serious disparities in drug and alcohol‐related morbidity and mortality among American Indians and Alaska Natives ( AI / AN s) compared to other ethnic groups in the U.S. despite high rates of abstinence in these groups. Further complicating these health disparities are barriers to accessing evidence‐based treatments that are culturally appropriate and acceptable. As part of a research program to promote health equity in r…
Understanding the link between racial trauma and substance use among American Indians
Historians and scholars from various disciplines have documented the pervasive influence of racism on American society and culture, including effects on the health and well-being of American Indian (AI) people. Among the many health problems affected by racial discrimination and oppression, both historical and current, are substance use disorders. Epidemiological studies have documented greater drug and alcohol-related morbidity and mortality amo…
Added benefits: How supporting women faculty in STEM improves everyone’s job satisfaction
Absent autonomy: Relational competence and gendered paths to faculty self-determination in the promotion and tenure process
This research examines ways in which men and women university faculty sought self-determination in the promotion and tenure (P&T) process. Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 2012) research tends to view autonomy as the central factor in self-determination, taking priority over other psychological needs of relatedness and competence. The P&T process occurs within a context that inherently limits autonomy, providing a unique opportunity t…
Ethnic Identity, Drinking Motives, and Alcohol Consequences Among Alaska Native and Non-Native College Students
This research involves the examination of drinking motives, alcohol consequences, and ethnic identity in a sample of Native and non-Native college student drinkers in Alaska. Although more Alaska Native students are abstinent from alcohol compared to any other ethnic group, Native students who do drink experience greater alcohol consequences and dependence symptoms. Therefore, we attempted to examine the influence of ethnic identity on alcohol co…
Solitary heavy drinking, social relationships, and negative mood regulation in college drinkers
In college students, solitary (i.e., while alone) heavy episodic drinking is associated with depression, suicidal ideation, drinking to cope, and having greater alcohol-related problems than heavy drinking only in social contexts. This study explored the possible explanatory factors for solitary heavy drinking. Social (n = 58) and solitary heavy episodic drinking (n = 32) emerging adult college students were compared in regards to: alcohol-relate…
The benefits of discussing suicide with Alaska native college students: Qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews
Suicide represents a significant health disparity for communities in rural Alaska, and has implications for mental health among people who have lost loved ones from suicide. A qualitative interview study was conducted to examine the ways in which suicide has affected the lives of college students who have migrated from rural villages to an urban university (N = 25). The present research represents a secondary aim of the study-specifically, we exa…
A pilot test of an alcohol skills training programme for Mexican-American college students
Understanding the link between racial trauma and substance use among American Indians
Historians and scholars from various disciplines have documented the pervasive influence of racism on American society and culture, including effects on the health and well-being of American Indian (AI) people. Among the many health problems affected by racial discrimination and oppression, both historical and current, are substance use disorders. Epidemiological studies have documented greater drug and alcohol-related morbidity and mortality amo…
Health Disparities Research with American Indian Communities: The Importance of Trust and Transparency
American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities experience notable health disparities associated with substance use, including disproportionate rates of accidents/injuries, diabetes, liver disease, suicide, and substance use disorders. Effective treatments for substance use are needed to improve health equity for AI/AN communities. However, an unfortunate history of unethical and stigmatizing research has engendered distrust and reluctance …
Partnering with Native Communities to Develop a Culturally Grounded Intervention for Substance Use Disorder
Studies have documented serious disparities in drug and alcohol‐related morbidity and mortality among American Indians and Alaska Natives ( AI / AN s) compared to other ethnic groups in the U.S. despite high rates of abstinence in these groups. Further complicating these health disparities are barriers to accessing evidence‐based treatments that are culturally appropriate and acceptable. As part of a research program to promote health equity in r…
Added benefits: How supporting women faculty in STEM improves everyone’s job satisfaction
Beliefs about causal factors for suicide in rural Alaska Native communities and recommendations for prevention
Rural Indigenous communities in Alaska suffer staggeringly high rates of suicide. In close-knit Alaska Native villages, each suicide leaves a trail of affected family and community members in its wake. This research aimed to understand community perceptions of what causes suicide in rural Alaska Native villages and generate recommendations for prevention strategies. In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 Alaska Native university students who …
The benefits of discussing suicide with Alaska native college students: Qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews
Suicide represents a significant health disparity for communities in rural Alaska, and has implications for mental health among people who have lost loved ones from suicide. A qualitative interview study was conducted to examine the ways in which suicide has affected the lives of college students who have migrated from rural villages to an urban university (N = 25). The present research represents a secondary aim of the study-specifically, we exa…
Development and Preliminary Validation of the Complicated and Adaptive Grief Inventory for Native Americans
Grief research among American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) people has been limited to studies on historical trauma and elevated mortality rates among AI/ANs. A lack of validated measures is one barrier to grief research with AI/ANs. Therefore, we conducted three studies to develop and validate a culturally congruent measure of grief. In Study 1, interviews were conducted with 12 AI reservation-based community members to understand perspecti…
Belief in the American Indian/Alaska Native biological vulnerability myth and drinking to cope: Does stereotype threat play a role
Objectives: The effects of stereotype threat and internalized alcohol stereotypes on negative affect and negative affect-related drinking have not been examined in American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs), despite their frequently being subjected to alcohol stereotypes. The current study examined the association of belief in the myth of an AI/AN specific biological vulnerability (BV) with alcohol consequences through its effect on depression and …
Absent autonomy: Relational competence and gendered paths to faculty self-determination in the promotion and tenure process
This research examines ways in which men and women university faculty sought self-determination in the promotion and tenure (P&T) process. Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 2012) research tends to view autonomy as the central factor in self-determination, taking priority over other psychological needs of relatedness and competence. The P&T process occurs within a context that inherently limits autonomy, providing a unique opportunity t…
A pilot test of an alcohol skills training programme for Mexican-American college students
Solitary heavy drinking, social relationships, and negative mood regulation in college drinkers
In college students, solitary (i.e., while alone) heavy episodic drinking is associated with depression, suicidal ideation, drinking to cope, and having greater alcohol-related problems than heavy drinking only in social contexts. This study explored the possible explanatory factors for solitary heavy drinking. Social (n = 58) and solitary heavy episodic drinking (n = 32) emerging adult college students were compared in regards to: alcohol-relate…
The benefits of discussing suicide with Alaska native college students: Qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews
Suicide represents a significant health disparity for communities in rural Alaska, and has implications for mental health among people who have lost loved ones from suicide. A qualitative interview study was conducted to examine the ways in which suicide has affected the lives of college students who have migrated from rural villages to an urban university (N = 25). The present research represents a secondary aim of the study-specifically, we exa…
Ethnic Identity, Drinking Motives, and Alcohol Consequences Among Alaska Native and Non-Native College Students
This research involves the examination of drinking motives, alcohol consequences, and ethnic identity in a sample of Native and non-Native college student drinkers in Alaska. Although more Alaska Native students are abstinent from alcohol compared to any other ethnic group, Native students who do drink experience greater alcohol consequences and dependence symptoms. Therefore, we attempted to examine the influence of ethnic identity on alcohol co…
Added benefits: How supporting women faculty in STEM improves everyone’s job satisfaction
Absent autonomy: Relational competence and gendered paths to faculty self-determination in the promotion and tenure process
This research examines ways in which men and women university faculty sought self-determination in the promotion and tenure (P&T) process. Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 2012) research tends to view autonomy as the central factor in self-determination, taking priority over other psychological needs of relatedness and competence. The P&T process occurs within a context that inherently limits autonomy, providing a unique opportunity t…
Negative life events and incident alcohol use disorders among ethnic minorities
The association of negative life events (NLEs) with incident alcohol use disorders (AUDs) was examined among Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites in the second wave of the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) among 3,679 participants without AUDs at the first wave. The number of past-year NLEs at NCS-2 was higher for Black than White participants, but the rates of incident AUDs did not differ by racial/ethnic group (14.2% among all participants). Past-year…
Partnering with Native Communities to Develop a Culturally Grounded Intervention for Substance Use Disorder
Studies have documented serious disparities in drug and alcohol‐related morbidity and mortality among American Indians and Alaska Natives ( AI / AN s) compared to other ethnic groups in the U.S. despite high rates of abstinence in these groups. Further complicating these health disparities are barriers to accessing evidence‐based treatments that are culturally appropriate and acceptable. As part of a research program to promote health equity in r…
Understanding the link between racial trauma and substance use among American Indians
Historians and scholars from various disciplines have documented the pervasive influence of racism on American society and culture, including effects on the health and well-being of American Indian (AI) people. Among the many health problems affected by racial discrimination and oppression, both historical and current, are substance use disorders. Epidemiological studies have documented greater drug and alcohol-related morbidity and mortality amo…
A Systematic Review of Trauma Interventions in Native Communities
American Indian/Alaska Native and First Nations communities suffer from health disparities associated with multiple forms of trauma exposure. Culturally appropriate interventions are needed to heal current and historical trauma wounds. Although there are evidence‐based trauma interventions for other populations, few have been implemented or evaluated with Native communities. Understanding the extant research on trauma interventions in Native comm…
Belief in the American Indian/Alaska Native biological vulnerability myth and drinking to cope: Does stereotype threat play a role
Objectives: The effects of stereotype threat and internalized alcohol stereotypes on negative affect and negative affect-related drinking have not been examined in American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs), despite their frequently being subjected to alcohol stereotypes. The current study examined the association of belief in the myth of an AI/AN specific biological vulnerability (BV) with alcohol consequences through its effect on depression and …
Health Disparities Research with American Indian Communities: The Importance of Trust and Transparency
American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities experience notable health disparities associated with substance use, including disproportionate rates of accidents/injuries, diabetes, liver disease, suicide, and substance use disorders. Effective treatments for substance use are needed to improve health equity for AI/AN communities. However, an unfortunate history of unethical and stigmatizing research has engendered distrust and reluctance …
College students’ perspectives on healing following an unwanted sexual experience
Determinants of Relapse and Opportunities for Growth: Perspectives on Substance Use among American Indian Community Members
Resulting from generations of historical oppression and systemic racism, American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities experience serious health disparities associated with substance use disorders (SUDs). As part of a longstanding community-based participatory research intervention development project, our partnership of academic and community co-researchers conducted seven focus groups ( N = 35) to understand community stakeholders' pers…
Mental Health Risk Profiles and Related Substance Use During Coronavirus Pandemic Among College Students Who Use Substances
Beliefs about causal factors for suicide in rural Alaska Native communities and recommendations for prevention
Rural Indigenous communities in Alaska suffer staggeringly high rates of suicide. In close-knit Alaska Native villages, each suicide leaves a trail of affected family and community members in its wake. This research aimed to understand community perceptions of what causes suicide in rural Alaska Native villages and generate recommendations for prevention strategies. In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 Alaska Native university students who …
Association of racism and substance use treatment with belief in the myth of an American Indian/Alaska Native biological vulnerability to alcohol problems
Greater systemic and interpersonal racism were associated with belief in a BV, and greater ethnic identity buffered the association between interpersonal racism and BV belief. This suggests that both combatting racism and fostering positive ethnic identity may help to lessen BV belief. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
Development and Preliminary Validation of the Complicated and Adaptive Grief Inventory for Native Americans
Grief research among American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) people has been limited to studies on historical trauma and elevated mortality rates among AI/ANs. A lack of validated measures is one barrier to grief research with AI/ANs. Therefore, we conducted three studies to develop and validate a culturally congruent measure of grief. In Study 1, interviews were conducted with 12 AI reservation-based community members to understand perspecti…
A Psychometric Evaluation of the Reasons for Limiting Heavy Drinking Scale in a National Sample of College Students
Background: Understanding college students’ reasons for limiting heavy drinking can inform and enhance harm reduction initiatives. Objectives: This study provided further psychometric evaluation of the Reasons for Limiting Heavy Drinking (RFLHD) scale, including model fit, construct validity, and test–retest reliability, among two national samples of college students across the United States. Study 1 consisted of 537 college students (Mage = 19.4…
Relationship between social support and substance use among American Indian people with a self-identified substance use problem
Network substance use behavior was a better predictor of participant substance use outcomes than general support, substance-specific support, or support for recovery/treatment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Attitudes regarding harm-reduction and abstinence intervention strategies for alcohol problems among American Indian/Alaska Native college students
AI/AN students who drink perceived no difference in effectiveness between HR and AO strategies and were more confident in their abilities to utilize HR strategies over AO. Regardless of drinking status, participants perceived they would have greater social support for HR compared with AO strategies from friends and family. The findings indicate that HR intervention strategies may be a socially valid intervention option for AI/AN college students.…
Concerns About Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Among American Indian Community Members: A Qualitative Secondary Analysis
Opioid use disorder and mortality due to opioid overdose pose significant public health problems in the United States, particularly among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities that experience disproportionately high rates of opioid overdose deaths. Such health inequities are related to centuries of ongoing colonization and oppression that inform social determinants of health today. Using medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD)…
Methamphetamine Use, Post-Traumatic Stress, and Substance Use Consequences Among American Indians with a Substance Use Problem
OBJECTIVE: This manuscript explores the relationship between methamphetamine as the primary drug of choice, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and adverse consequences of alcohol/drug use in a sample of American Indian (AI) people who self-identified as having a current substance use problem. METHOD: Using a Community-Based Participatory Research framework, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with 198 AI tribal members experienci…
Indigenous research sovereignty within academia: Challenges and opportunities
Indigenous Peoples' inherent right to self-determination includes authority over research, yet university systems centralize control in ways that constrain Indigenous sovereignty. This article examines how academic institutional structures and processes-well beyond the actions of individual researchers-shape the possibilities and limitations of Indigenous-focused research within universities. Drawing on a collaborative, story-based process involv…
Grief and Historical Trauma Among American Indian and Alaska Native Populations: A Cluster Analysis
American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities face significant social, economic, and health disparities rooted in historical traumas stemming from colonization. These disparities manifest in disproportionate rates of poverty, unemployment, and early mortality among AI/AN populations. High rates of premature deaths contribute to a persistent cycle of grief and loss, perpetuating mental and physical health problems. The current study explor…
Psychology (20 works) · Medicine (13 works) · Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes (12 works) · Clinical Psychology (11 works) · Clinical Psychology (11 works) · Psychiatry (10 works) · Social Psychology (10 works) · Social Psychology (9 works) · Sociology (9 works) · Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights (7 works)