Alexis E Merculief

All Publications

• Measuring resilience in young children: The Child and Youth Resilience Measure- Early Childhood (CYRM-EC) EARLY CHILDHOOD RESEARCH QUARTERLY Lipscomb, S. T., Merculief, A., Phelps, B. 2025; 70: 347-357

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ecresq.2024.11.004

  View details for Web of Science ID 001358474900001

• Applying an Indigenous Connectedness Framework to Examine Environmental Risk and Protective Factors for Urban American Indian Children's Executive Function Development BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES Merculief, A., Tsethlikai, M., Muniz, F. 2024; 14 (12)

  View details for DOI 10.3390/bs14121202

  View details for Web of Science ID 001387674100001

• Striving to Be Pono (Balanced, Equitable, and Hopeful): Conceptualizing an Indigenous Writing Process from a Native Hawaiian Cultural Perspective ADVERSITY AND RESILIENCE SCIENCE Martin, T., Merculief, A., Young, R., White, L., Marshall, S., Waubanascum, C., White, E. J., Russette, H. 2023; 4 (4): 435-458

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s42844-023-00121-0

  View details for Web of Science ID 001205271500002

• Nurturing resilience in American Indian/Alaska Native preschool children: the role of cultural socialization, executive function, and neighborhood risk. Frontiers in psychology Merculief, A., Lipscomb, S., McClelland, M. M., Geldhof, G. J., Tsethlikai, M. 2023; 14: 1279336

  Abstract

  Introduction: American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children possess numerous cultural assets, yet higher exposures to neighborhood risks (e.g., lack of housing, crime) may present barriers to healthy cognitive development, including executive function (EF). Cultural socialization may promote resilience and support children's early cognition, but this has not been adequately studied. The present study examined the effects of neighborhood risk and cultural socialization on EF for AI/AN preschool children.Method: Parents/caregivers of 768 AI/AN preschoolers from the 2015 AI/AN Head Start Family and Community Experiences (FACES) Study rated neighborhood risk via two scales: "Neighborhood Problems" and "Environmental Conditions," and cultural socialization practices via two scales: cultural activities and tribal language activities. Children's EF was measured directly using the Pencil Tap Task and the Leiter-R attention subscale.Results: Families perceived neighborhood risks as relatively low, and overall risk did not predict children's EF. However, higher average language socialization was significantly related to higher EF, as were two specific language activities (encouraging children to learn their tribal language, making sure children heard their tribal language) and two cultural activities (playing AI/AN games, participating in tribal ceremonies), controlling for neighborhood risk.Discussion: Findings suggest some aspects of cultural socialization may promote resilience among AI/AN preschoolers by supporting early EF. Mechanisms may include increased spiritual, social, and cultural connections, and practice with EF skills during cultural games. Future research should partner with AI/AN communities to investigate culturally grounded EF interventions and reevaluate measures of neighborhood risk to promote resilience and connectedness for AI/AN children.

  View details for DOI 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1279336

  View details for PubMedID 38098526