Historical Trauma, Coping, and Positive Mental Health Among American Indians

American Indians (AI) have survived numerous historical tragedies resulting in posttraumatic stress, unresolved historical grief, and historical trauma (Brave Heart & DeBruyn, 1998). AIs also face a heightened risk for undergoing traumatic and violent life events compared to other ethnic and racial groups (Bassett, Buchwald, & Manson, 2014). Factors such as heightened levels of enculturation and use of traditional coping methods have been linked to more positive mental and behavioral health outcomes; however, positive psychology research focused on racial/ethnic minorities is limited (Rao & Donaldson, 2015). The present study utilized the Indigenist Stress-Coping Model (ISCM) to examine the relationships between historical trauma, enculturation, and positive mental health outcomes among AIs (Walters, Simoni, & Evans-Campbell, 2002). One-hundred and twenty-one participants completed survey materials. Regression analyses demonstrated that enculturation was not found to buffer the effects of historical trauma on positive mental health; however, moderating effects were found for aspects of traditional spirituality on the relationship between historical loss-associated symptoms and integrated well-being. Results further expand our conceptualization of historical trauma and its impact on AIs. Clinical implications and future directions for research are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Counseling Psychology (UMKC)

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Missouri -- Kansas City

Year dc:date.issued

2019

Author dc:creator

• McLarty, Amanda Estelle

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Marszalek, Jacob M.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10355/69282

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mospace.umsystem.edu:10355/69282