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. 2019 Jun;49(4):943-962.
doi: 10.1093/bjsw/bcz041. Epub 2019 Apr 26.

The Framework of Historical Oppression, Resilience and Transcendence to Understand Disparities in Depression Amongst Indigenous Peoples

Catherine E Burnette  1 , Lynette M Renner  2 , Charles R Figley  1
Affiliations

The Framework of Historical Oppression, Resilience and Transcendence to Understand Disparities in Depression Amongst Indigenous Peoples

Catherine E Burnette et al. Br J Soc Work. 2019 Jun.

Abstract

Given chronic experiences of historical oppression, Indigenous peoples tend to experience much higher rates of depression than the general US population, which then, drives disproportionately high rates of suicide and other health disparities. The purpose of this research was to examine the core components of the culturally grounded Framework of Historical Oppression, Resilience, and Transcendence as they relate to depressive symptoms experienced by Indigenous peoples. As part of a larger convergent mixed-methods study, in this quantitative survey component, we utilised data from a sample of 127 Indigenous adults across two Southeastern US tribes. Regression analysis results signified support for the framework, indicating that historical oppression and proximal stress (daily stressors and lower incomes) were risk factors, whereas family resilience and life satisfaction (a measure of transcendence) were protective factors related to depressive symptoms. The results provide a foundation for future research to build upon in identifying culturally relevant risk and protective factors to ameliorate depression and other health disparities.

Keywords: Indigenous/Native American/American Indian; depression; health disparities; historical oppression and trauma; resilience.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Conceptual framework for this study, based on the FHORT. The direction of each hypotheses are denoted by either + or – sign, for a positive and negative relationship with depressive symptoms, respectively
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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