Why Are So Many Indigenous Peoples Dying and No One Is Paying Attention? Depressive Symptoms and “Loss of Loved Ones” as a Result and Driver of Health Disparities

Abstract

<jats:p> Indigenous peoples have not only experienced a devastating rate of historical loss of lives, they are more likely to experience mortality disparities. The purpose of this article is to examine Indigenous women’s lived experiences of grief and loss in two Southeastern tribes and the relationship between depressive symptoms and recent loss of a loved one. Our exploratory sequential mixed-methods research was informed by the Indigenous based Framework of Historical Oppression, Resilience, and Transcendence (FHORT). We summarized key qualitative themes from ethnographic data from 287 female participants across the two tribes, collected through focus groups, family interviews, and individual interviews. We then quantitatively examined how these themes predicted depressive outcomes among 127 respondents. Specifically, we examined associations between depressive symptoms and components of historical oppression—historical loss, loss of lives, and the presence of PTSD symptoms—along with resilience and transcendence. </jats:p>

“It Adds to The Stress of the Body”: Community health needs of a state-recognized Native American tribe in the United States

“…The occupational risks of jobs in the region, like working in a fish processing plant, caused concern due to the risk of exposure to carcinogens. Higher rates of mortality and injury within tight-knit communities like this Tribe are connected with higher depressive symptoms and a concurrent threat to well-being (McKinley, Miller Scarnato, et al, 2022). Frequent loss within the Tribe compounds these effects and has implications beyond each individual loss, impacting communities as a whole (McKinley, Miller Scarnato, et al, 2022).…”

“…The occurrence of early deaths at higher rates in Native American communities has negative health consequences for the community in whole. Experiencing the loss of a loved one has far-reaching individual and community health implications that are compounded by the closeknit and family-oriented nature of tribal communities (McKinley, Lesesne, et al, 2020;McKinley, Miller Scarnato, et al, 2022). High occurrences of domestic and intimate violence can cause tensions that may negatively impact the degree of community support and interrelation that is important for tribes, especially for tribes that already lack resources due to their limited sovereignty (McKinley, Miller Scarnato, et al, 2022).…”

“…Experiencing the loss of a loved one has far-reaching individual and community health implications that are compounded by the closeknit and family-oriented nature of tribal communities (McKinley, Lesesne, et al, 2020;McKinley, Miller Scarnato, et al, 2022). High occurrences of domestic and intimate violence can cause tensions that may negatively impact the degree of community support and interrelation that is important for tribes, especially for tribes that already lack resources due to their limited sovereignty (McKinley, Miller Scarnato, et al, 2022). Exposure to the effects of illness, injury, and violence takes a toll, and many Native American families are impacted emotionally, spiritually, and financially by watching loved ones suffer (D. Brown et al, 2009;McKinley et al, 2020;2022).…”

“…Exposure to the effects of illness, injury, and violence takes a toll, and many Native American families are impacted emotionally, spiritually, and financially by watching loved ones suffer (D. Brown et al, 2009;McKinley et al, 2020;2022). In tribal communities that value close relationality with extended family and friends, the prevalence of untimely and preventable deaths amongst so many of their community members are especially traumatic and the effects of these losses have been shown to be felt more acutely (D. Brown et al, 2009, McKinley, Miller Scarnato, et al, 2022.…”

“It's in the family circle”: Communication promoting Indigenous family resilience

“…Several reviews and empirical research indicate that in addition to chronic health, cancer, and physical health disparities (McKinley, Ka'apu, et al, 2020), depression, suicide, alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, and post-traumatic stress disorder tend to be quite elevated for Indigenous peoples of the United States (AI/ANs and Native Hawaiians) (Ka'apu & Burnette, 2019). Yet, despite a U.S. Federal Trust Responsibility to provide for their well-being, Indigenous families continue to face significant disparities and are by and large underrepresented in mainstream research, which perpetuates an invisibility and contemporary form of oppression (McKinley, Miller Scarnato, & Sanders, 2020).…”