A Cautionary Tale

Melissa L. Walls · Les B. Whitbeck · Brian E. Armenta

46 citations0/0 files storedClinical Psychological Science

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Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology Racial and Ethnic Identity Research

Abstract

Efforts to build empirical evidence for the protective effects of Indigenous cultural factors on psychological health have yielded mixed findings. We examine the interplay of previously hypothesized culturally relevant risk (discrimination, historical loss) and protective (spiritual activities) factors among Indigenous people. The sample includes 569 Indigenous adolescents (M age = 17.23, SD = 0.88; 51.0% girls) and 563 Indigenous adult caregivers (M age = 44.66, SD = 9.18; 77.4% women). Our central finding was that indigenous spirituality was associated with poorer psychological outcomes across several domains (depressive symptoms, anger, anxiety, somatization and interpersonal difficulties), but observed effects were attenuated once perceived discrimination and historical losses were added to statistical models. Thus, consideration of relevant stressors drastically changed our conclusions, underscoring the uncertain dynamics through which specific Indigenous cultural factors impact mental health. Researchers should work in collaboration with Indigenous communities to improve measurement and empirical investigation of these complex constructs.

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References

1999Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives 1977The CES-D Scale 1992A power primer.20248 Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples 1992A power primer.2000Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples 2002The Mental Health Continuum: From Languishing to Flourishing in Life 2004Coping: Pitfalls and Promise

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2022Cultural efficacy as a novel component of understanding linkages between culture and mental health in Indigenous communities 2019Substance Use Research with Indigenous Communities: Exploring and Extending Foundational Principles of Community Psychology 2022Cultural Dynamics, Substance Use, and Resilience Among American Indian/Alaska Native Emerging Adults in Urban Areas 2019With a Spirit that Understands: Reflections on a Long‐term Community Science Initiative to End Suicide in Alaska 2020Understanding Historical Trauma for the Holistic Care of Indigenous Populations: A Scoping Review

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