Understanding the burden of trauma and victimization among American Indian and Alaska native elders: historical trauma as an element of poly-victimization

Abstract

Research on recognition of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and poly-victimization has transformed our understanding of violence and trauma exposure. Both concepts point to the importance of understanding the cumulative burden of trauma and the interconnections among forms of violence and abuse. However, there has been little conceptualization about what these two constructs mean for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) individuals, families, and communities, and even less attention to the experiences of AI/AN elders. This paper summarizes prior work on adverse childhood experiences and poly-victimization, addresses the limitations of past research on these issues, and expands these constructs to include concepts of historical trauma in order to better understand victimization and trauma among AI/AN elders. We call for the integration of historical trauma into the poly-victimization framework for AI/AN communities in order to more accurately capture the true burden of victimization among AI/AN peoples. Future research, prevention, and intervention can better incorporate historical trauma and we provide suggestions for doing so, including adding items on historical trauma to poly-victimization surveys and creating programs to promote cultural connectedness.

Keywords: Alaska Native; American Indian; Historical trauma; elder abuse; poly-victimization; victimization.