[00:00:00] Do past generational injustices still affect mental health today? Psychologists examined how historical loss shapes mental health among Native American and Alaska Native college students. Their study included 240 tribal undergraduates from 74 colleges and universities across the U.S. median age was 21 74% were women. Participants completed an online survey using the Indigenous Stress Coping Model, measuring the unique stressors as well as the protective factors faced by Indigenous populations, particularly in the context of historical trauma and contemporary challenges. Using the Adolescent Historical Losses Scale, the scientists assessed how often young adults think about the ongoing effects of colonization. They assessed overall mental health and well being, depression, anxiety, and ethnic identity.
[00:00:53] Students who thought more often about historical loss reported lower well being with higher depression and anxiety. However, a strong ethnic identity was a protective factor, weakening the link between historical loss and lower well being. This buffering effect did not extend to depression and anxiety symptoms. The takeaway historical loss remains a present day stressor. Supporting cultural identity is not just meaningful, it actively protects mental health and resilience among Native students.
