"It Runs in the Family": Intergenerational Transmission of Historical Trauma among Urban American Indians and Alaska Natives in Culturally Specific Sobriety Maintenance Programs

Abstract

The aim of this exploratory study, which was informed by ethnographic principles, was to better understand the intergenerational transmission of historical trauma among urban American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) in culturally specific sobriety maintenance programs. The results of the study were organized into 3 overarching categories, which included 10 themes that emerged contextually in relation to participants' lived experience of historical and associated traumas, substance abuse, and current involvement in a culturally specific sobriety maintenance program. This exploratory study was conducted to understand the relationship between the intergenerational transmission of historical trauma and sobriety maintenance among urban American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs), in order to inform substance abuse and sobriety maintenance programs. According to data collected over the past decade, AI/ANs are in greater need of treatment for substance use disorders than are members of other racial/ethnic groups (National Survey on Drug Use and Health [NSDUH], 2010). Between 2002 and 2005, AI/ANs over the age of 12 were more likely than members of other racial/ethnic groups to report an alcohol (10.7 vs. 7.6%) or illicit drug (5% vs. 2.9%) use disorder in the past year (NSDUH, 2007). According to data collected between 2004 and 2008, although the use of alcohol over the course of a month was lower among AI/ANs than other racial/ethnic groups, the rate of binge drinking among AI/ANs between the ages of 26 and 49 was higher than the national average (NSDUH, 2010). Likewise, illicit drug use among AI/ ANs age 18 to 25 was higher than the national average (NSDUH, 2010). Substance abuse has been linked to lower health status among AI/ANs when compared with other Americans (Indian Health Services [IHS], 2009a), and has also been linked to health disparities (Walters, Simoni, & Evans-Campbell, 2002). AI/ANs have a unique relationship with the Federal government due to historic conflicts and subsequent treaties; thus, members of Federally recognized

Examining the Theory of Historical Trauma Among Native Americans

“…Lichenstein and Annas (2000) found there is a relationship between a parent having a fear and children developing the same fear due to vicarious learning. This seems to be substantiated by Myhra's (2011) findings that all 13 participants in a qualitative study examining the relationship between substance use and historical trauma in Native American adults believed that historical trauma was key to their elders' dysfunctional behavior-in particular, substance abuse. One participant characterized it as "monkey see, monkey do," in that she was following her family's pattern of abusing substances and being involved in abusive interpersonal relationships (Myhra, 2011, p. 26).…”

“…Given that the atrocities that were inflicted on the Native American people were substantive, it seems understandable that transmission of historical loss symptoms could occur via this pathway to the children. In fact, Myhra (2011) found that Native American participants connected "the impact of elders' stories of historical trauma and loss, and their own traumatic experiences, to intrusive thoughts about these ordeals and to fear that trauma will continue for future generations" (p. 25).…”

Intergenerational Patterns of Substance Abuse Among Urban American Indian Families

“…Substance abuse in AI families has been linked to experiences of psychological and cultural trauma; although traumatic experiences have decreased overtime and for younger generations, their rate still remains high compared with other racial and ethnic groups (Myhra & Wieling, in press). The feelings of being an outsider in society, often related to racism and discrimination, has been linked to substance abuse among AIs (Myhra, 2011;Spicer, 1998). This may help explain findings from a three generation family study in whi ch older generations presented with less perceived control (Grob, Weisheit, & Gomez, 2009).…”

“…Thus, for AI families who contend with historical, cultural, and complex traumas, the result may be the development of maladaptive survival or coping strategies. Among AI adults in recovery, the intergenerational nature of alcoholism has been clearly established, as well as the need for families to transmit strength, hope, and healing to younger generations (Lowery, 1999;Myhra, 2011;Walters et al, 2002;Whitbeck, 2006). AIs continue to heal together as families and communities by using their greatest assets of spirituality and cultural practices (Duran, 2006;Jervis & AI-SUPERPFP team, 2009;Walters, 1999) to rise above what some believed to be "a predetermined fate" of intergenerational substance abuse and related problematic patterns (Myhra, 2011, p. 36).…”

“…Most salient to this study, clinicians and researchers have recommended the assessment of intergenerational transmission of maladaptive patterns and resiliency within AI families (Brave Heart, 2003;Morgan & Freeman, 2009). Research investigating substance use patterns across multiple generations of AI families is important to understand and appreciate the nuances of generational experiences and transmission patterns (Myhra, 2011).…”