| Using traditional ethnographic methods for data collection and analysis, this dissertation addressed two specific aims. The first was related to the issue of elder mistreatment among Native American people living on a reservation in Montana. Data from a community-based participatory pilot research project were analyzed to explore how elder mistreatment is perceived on the reservation, its contributing factors and ramifications, the current means of addressing elder mistreatment, and whether a proposed family conference intervention aimed at preventing and/or mitigating elder mistreatment would be acceptable to the people living on the reservation. The second aim was related to the research methodology. Data generated during the conduction of business for the cross-cultural research team that implemented the research project were analyzed to explore relevant scientific, ethical, and interpersonal team dynamics.; Results related to the first aim indicated that elder mistreatment does exist on the reservation in the forms of exploitation, neglect, social service neglect, and emotional abuse. Contributing factors include historic trauma, depressed socioeconomic conditions, the impact of social change on traditional values, and the influence of family values held by elders. Punitive means of managing elder mistreatment fragmented families causing family discord. Prevention was seen as a desirable way to address elder mistreatment with positive support indicated for the family conference intervention. Community strengths that could contribute to the success of the family conference intervention were identified.; Results related to the methodology aim indicated that the research team experienced four developmental stages during its work on the project: team formation, team expansion, team crisis, and team consolidation. Depending on the developmental stage, salient issues included experiencing distrust and trust, addressing bureaucratic barriers, coping with credibility stress, remaining flexible, learning culturally grounded means of intercultural communication, protecting the data, guarding against cultural misinterpretation of the data, managing multiple roles, maintaining a consensus model for making decisions, and nurturing team cohesiveness. |
