An Examination of Historical Loss Thinking Frequency and Rumination on Suicide Ideation in American Indian Young Adults

Abstract

No research has empirically investigated whether frequency of historical loss thinking is a potential risk factor for suicide ideation in American Indians. Results of this study demonstrated that the frequency of historical loss thinking was positively associated with brooding and reflection at a small magnitude, but was not directly related to suicide ideation. Bootstrapping analyses indicated small indirect effects of historical loss thinking frequency on suicide ideation through brooding and reflection individually, but only through brooding when analyzed in a parallel mediation model. These findings suggest that American Indians who more frequently engage in historical loss thinking may be susceptible to suicide ideation via an increase in ruminative tendencies, specifically brooding.

Suicidal behaviors among American Indian/Alaska Native firefighters: Evidence for the role of painful and provocative events

“…What, then, might account for our pattern of findings? Elevated levels of painful and provocative events among AI/AN firefighters might reflect historical and intergenerational trauma experienced by AI/AN individuals (Brave Heart et al., 2011; Evans-Campbell, 2008; Tucker et al., 2016). Further, as previous research suggests, genetic components may play a larger role in fearlessness about death and pain tolerance than does exposure to painful and provocative events (i.e., environmental factors; A. R. Smith et al., 2012).…”

“…Indeed, research has endeavored to understand the impact of historical and intergenerational trauma on AI/AN individuals' psychological health, broadly (Brave Heart, Chase, Elkins, & Altschul, 2011; Evans-Campbell, 2008). Initial data suggest that these factors are important constructs with regard to suicide risk conceptualizations, specifically (Tucker, Wingate, O'Keefe, Hollingsworth, & Cole, 2016). Because of these data, the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention's AI/AN Task Force has advocated for the conceptualization of suicide risk among AI/AN individuals at both individual and societal levels to capture the effects of historical and intergenerational traumas on suicide risk among this population (Wexler et al., 2015).…”

Insights from Cowichan: A Hybrid Approach to Understanding Suicide in One First Nations’ Collective

“…This power is ours” (as cited by Smith, , p. 40). Such efforts must also contextualize the Indigenous history to comprehend the continuing effects of colonialism (Alfred, ), historical trauma (Brave Heart et al., ; Tucker, Wingate, O'Keefe, Hollingsworth, & Cole, ), and the process of homeland inscription (Whyte, ) on Indigenous psychological and material well‐being.…”

“Let our Apache Heritage and Culture Live on Forever and Teach the Young Ones”: Development of The Elders’ Resilience Curriculum, an Upstream Suicide Prevention Approach for American Indian Youth

“…Efforts by tribal communities to preserve and promote their culture have shown positive outcomes by reducing existing health disparities (Chandler, Lalonde, Sokol, & Hallet, ; Garrett et al., ). Further, ensuring cultural beliefs, values, and traditions are passed on represent individual and community solutions against colonialism, historical trauma, and associated mental health and substance use outcomes (e.g., Armenta, Whitbeck, & Habecker, ; Tucker, Wingate, O'keefe, Hollingsworth, & Cole, ; Whitbeck, Walls, Johnson, Morrisseau, & McDougall, ).…”