Stress, coping, and well-being among the Yup`ik of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta: the role of enculturation and acculturation

Abstract

Objectives. To report on the relationships between cultural identity and stress, coping, and psychological well-being in Yup'ik communities. Study Design. A quantitative self-administered questionnaire. Methods. A health and wellness survey was completed by a total of 88 Yup'ik participants ( 8 women and 0 men) from 6 rural villages in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region. Respondents were fairly equally distributed across an age range of 14 to 94 (mean ± SD = 38.50 ± 17.18). Results. Participants who reported living more of a Kass'aq way of life (greater acculturation) reported experiencing greater psychosocial stress, less happiness, and greater use of drugs and alcohol to cope with stress. Participants who reported identifying more with a traditional Yup'ik way of life reported greater happiness, more frequent use of religion and spirituality to cope with stress, and less frequent use of drugs and alcohol to cope with stress. Conclusions. In conjunction with previous research, the data strongly indicates that in general, Yup'ik people in the Y-K Delta tend to associate stress and negative health outcomes with the process of acculturation, and health and healing with the process of enculturation. Research that focuses on documenting the intrinsic strengths of indigenous worldviews may contribute to positive transformations in community health. (Int J Circumpolar Health 2007; 66(1):51-61)

Cultural Continuity as a Determinant of Indigenous Peoples’ Health: A Metasynthesis of Qualitative Research in Canada and the United States

“…These outcomes move beyond the dominant body of quantitative research on enculturation as a buffer for adverse health outcomes, which has largely focused on individual-level indicators, such as stress (Walters & Simoni, 2002;Wolsko, Lardon, Mohatt, & Orr, 2007); alcohol and substance abuse (Currie et al, 2011;Fleming & Ledogar, 2008;Walters & Simoni, 2002;Whitbeck et al, 2004;Wolsko et al, 2007;Zimmerman et al, 1996); depressive symptoms (Bals, Turi, Skre, & Kvernmo, 2011;Fleming & Ledogar, 2008;Walters & Simoni, 2002;Whitbeck, McMorris, Hoyt, Stubben, & LaFromboise, 2002); suicidal ideation (Yoder, Whitbeck, Hoyt, & LaFromboise, 2006); externalizing behaviours (Bals et al, 2011;Fleming & Ledogar, 2008); and impacts of discrimination (Whitbeck et al, 2002;Whitbeck et al, 2004). In their research with the Maori, Houkamua, and Sibley (2011) found that while increased enculturation was associated with both increased individual well-being and decreased community well-being; however, their study illustrates the complexity of community health and wellness within a context of ongoing oppression and colonialism.…”

Resilience Among American Indian Adolescents: Investigation Into the Role of Culture

“…Additionally, self-esteem, subjective well-being, and social support from family and friends have also been shown to serve as protective factors that promote resilience among AI adults, college students, and adolescents (Bergstrom, Clearly, & Peacock, 2003;House, Stiffman, & Brown, 2006Montgomery, Miville, Winterowd, Jeffries, & Baysden, 2003;Powers, 2006;Stiffman et al, 2007;Whitesell et al, 2009;Wolsko, Lardon, Mohatt, & Orr, 2007).…”

“…The researchers highlighted that the current study suggests that Yup'ik individuals generally link the acculturative process with negative health and stress while individuals who identified with their Yup'ik culture (i.e., traditions) view the enculturative process as a means of promoting health and overall well-being (Wolsko et al, 2007).…”

“…For example, Wolsko et al, (2007) explored the health and wellness of a sample of Yup'ik participants. The researchers also measured the participants' levels of enculturation and acculturation.…”

Total Environment of Change: Impacts of Climate Change and Social Transitions on Subsistence Fisheries in Northwest Alaska

“…Acculturation is closely associated with decreasing well-being and high levels of psychosocial stress among Alaska Natives , Wolsko et al 2007. A nutritional transition is occurring in indigenous communities throughout the Arctic, with severe implications for physical, as well as psychosocial health (Kuhnlein et al 2004).…”