Violence and Health Promotion Among First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Women: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Research

Abstract

Indigenous women experience a disproportionate burden of intimate partner violence (IPV) compared to other women in post-colonial countries such as Canada. Intersections between IPV and other forms of structural violence including racism and gender-based discrimination create a dangerous milieu where ‘help seeking’ may be deterred and poor health outcomes occur. The aim of this review was to explore the perspectives of First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) women living in Canada about how violence influenced their health and wellbeing. This systematic review of qualitative research used thematic analysis to produce a configurative synthesis. A comprehensive search of electronic databases was conducted. Two reviewers screened studies for relevance and congruence with eligibility criteria. Sixteen studies were included in the review. Four themes with subthemes emerged: 1) ruptured connections between family and home, 2) that emptiness… my spirit being removed, 3) seeking help and being unheard, and 4) a core no one can touch. Together these themes form complex pathways that influenced health among women exposed to violence. Findings from this review highlight the need for collaboration with FNMI women and their communities to prevent IPV and ensure access to trauma and violence informed care (TVIC). The strength and resiliency of FNMI women is fundamental to healing from violence. Working with FNMI women and their communities to build effective interventions and promote culturally meaningful care will be important directions for researchers and policy makers.

Climate change and Indigenous mental health in the Circumpolar North: A systematic review to inform clinical practice

“…The natural environment was found to foster a sense of true self and to be a core component of Inuit, Inupiat, and Gwich’in identities ( Bunce et al, 2016 ; Cunsolo et al., 2020 ; Cunsolo Willox et al, 2012 , 2013a , 2013b ; Harper et al, 2015 ; Middleton et al, 2020a ; Ostapchuk et al, 2012 ; Petrasek MacDonald et al, 2015 ; Proverbs et al, 2020 ; Sakakibara, 2010 ; Sawatzky et al, 2020 ; Wolsko & Marino, 2016 ). In three studies, Inuit reported that the land connects them with their ancestors and with nature, and that it allows spiritual enrichment, continuity of traditions, and remembrance of history ( Cunsolo Willox et al, 2013b ; Durkalec et al, 2015 ; Petrasek MacDonald et al, 2015 ).…”

“…Inuit and Inupiat individuals from 11 studies perceived that the integrity of their connection to the land is essential for their mental health and resilience ( Boulanger-Lapointe et al, 2019 ; Cunsolo Willox et al, 2012 , 2013a , 2013b ; Harper et al, 2015 ; Ostapchuk et al, 2012 ; Petrasek MacDonald et al, 2013 , 2015 ; Sansoulet et al, 2020 ; Sawatzky et al, 2020 ; Wolsko & Marino, 2016 ). Eight of the studies found that for many Inuit, going outside the community (i.e., travelling or performing activities on the land) is an important way of dealing with the stress and problems of daily life ( Boulanger-Lapointe et al, 2019 ; Bunce et al, 2016 ; Cunsolo Willox et al, 2012 , 2013a , 2013b ; Durkalec et al, 2015 ; Panikkar & Lemmond, 2020 ; Petrasek MacDonald et al, 2015 ).…”

“…Across the Circumpolar North, climate change disrupts physical access to the land ( Table 2 ), thereby threatening peoples’ connection to the land, and impacting multiple determinants of their mental health and resilience. For instance, because of unpredictable weather, storms, and fragilized ice, accidents are increasingly frequent in Alaska, Nunavut, and Nunatsiavut, causing non-intentional injuries and sometimes death ( Brubaker et al, 2011 ; Bunce et al, 2016 ; Durkalec et al, 2015 ; Panikkar & Lemmond, 2020 ; Sakakibara, 2010 ; Sansoulet et al, 2020 ; Wolsko & Marino, 2016 ). Hence, for some, climate change was associated with the loss of loved ones ( Durkalec et al, 2015 ).…”

“…Considering most research in the field has been qualitative, we opted for a qualitative and narrative synthesis of the literature. Given the exploratory nature of this project, we applied a thematic analysis to the reviewed studies, using primarily an inductive approach to derive and interpret the themes within the scope of the research aims (Braun & Clarke, 2006;Walker et al, 2019;Williams et al, 2019).…”

“…Reports of climate change-related environmental transformations were also extracted from the articles. An inductive approach using thematic analysis was conducted to identify mental health impacts (Braun & Clarke, 2006;Walker et al, 2019;Williams et al, 2019). The analysis was conducted by LL and revised by VP, following the procedure developed by Braun and Clarke (2006).…”