Why Are So Many Indigenous Peoples Dying and No One Is Paying Attention? Depressive Symptoms and “Loss of Loved Ones” as a Result and Driver of Health Disparities

Indigenous peoples have not only experienced a devastating rate of historical loss of lives, they are more likely to experience mortality disparities. The purpose of this article is to examine Indigenous women’s lived experiences of grief and loss in two Southeastern tribes and the relationship between depressive symptoms and recent loss of a loved one. Our exploratory sequential mixed-methods research was informed by the Indigenous based Framework of Historical Oppression, Resilience, and Transcendence (FHORT). We summarized key qualitative themes from ethnographic data from 287 female participants across the two tribes, collected through focus groups, family interviews, and individual interviews. We then quantitatively examined how these themes predicted depressive outcomes among 127 respondents. Specifically, we examined associations between depressive symptoms and components of historical oppression—historical loss, loss of lives, and the presence of PTSD symptoms—along with resilience and transcendence.

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Exploring experiences of grief and loss after suicide of a loved one in South Asian families

10.32920/ryerson.14664525.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sanjini Phillips

Keyword(s):

South Asian ◽

Past Research ◽

Grief And Loss ◽

Cultural Perspective ◽

Loved One ◽

Individual Interviews ◽

Inclusive Practice ◽

Loss And Grief ◽

Narrative Methodology ◽

Different Cultures

This research explores the experiences of South Asian families who have experienced suicide of a loved one in the past five-years. Past research in the areas of suicide, grief, loss, and bereavement has not focused on how different cultures live through and may view these issues through a cultural lens. The research uses a qualitative narrative methodology and to explore how South Asian families understand and interpret suicide and negotiate their personal experiences of loss and grief after suicide. Individual interviews were conducted and recorded on audiotape. Participants were provided with an opportunity to explore and share their experiences of suicide of a loved one from a cultural perspective, voices that are missing in the mainstream literature. This research contributes to a broader understanding of suicide in diverse communities and how helping professionals can work towards a more inclusive practice with South Asian families who have experiences suicide.

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Do Coping Strategies Differentially Mediate the Relationship Between Emotional Closeness and Complicated Grief and Depression?

OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying ◽

10.1177/0030222820923454 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 003022282092345

Author(s):

Tom Buqo ◽

Erin F. Ward-Ciesielski ◽

Jacqueline K. Krychiw

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Coping Styles ◽

Complicated Grief ◽

Approach And Avoidance ◽

Unique Role ◽

Emotional Closeness ◽

Loved One ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship ◽

Differential Relationship

Although complicated grief (CG) following the death of a loved one has traditionally been viewed as avoidance-driven, recent research implicates approach behavior. Researchers have investigated how coping styles predict CG; however, emotional closeness remains unexamined. This study investigated the differential relationship of approach- and avoidance-focused coping on CG and depressive symptoms. Bereaved adults ( n = 340) completed questionnaires about their loss, coping styles, CG, and depression. Results suggest that approach-, but not avoidance-, focused coping mediates the relationship of emotional closeness on CG, while emotional closeness of the relationship had no direct impact on depressive symptoms. This suggests closeness of the relationship plays a unique role in CG.

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Exploring experiences of grief and loss after suicide of a loved one in South Asian families

10.32920/ryerson.14664525 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sanjini Phillips

Keyword(s):

South Asian ◽

Past Research ◽

Grief And Loss ◽

Cultural Perspective ◽

Loved One ◽

Individual Interviews ◽

Inclusive Practice ◽

Loss And Grief ◽

Narrative Methodology ◽

Different Cultures

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Poor Acceptance of the Past is Related to Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults

GeroPsych ◽

10.1024/1662-9647/a000227 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (4) ◽

pp. 246-251

Author(s):

Gozde Cetinkol ◽

Gulbahar Bastug ◽

E. Tugba Ozel Kizil

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Death Anxiety ◽

Geriatric Depression ◽

Ego Integrity ◽

The Past ◽

Depressed Group ◽

Total Death ◽

The Relationship

Abstract. Depression in older adults can be explained by Erikson’s theory on the conflict of ego integrity versus hopelessness. The study investigated the relationship between past acceptance, hopelessness, death anxiety, and depressive symptoms in 100 older (≥50 years) adults. The total Beck Hopelessness (BHS), Geriatric Depression (GDS), and Accepting the Past (ACPAST) subscale scores of the depressed group were higher, while the total Death Anxiety (DAS) and Reminiscing the Past (REM) subscale scores of both groups were similar. A regression analysis revealed that the BHS, DAS, and ACPAST predicted the GDS. Past acceptance seems to be important for ego integrity in older adults.

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Symptoms of Alcohol Dependence Predict Suicide Ideation Among Alaskan Undergraduates

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000373 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 232-235 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Christopher R. DeCou ◽

Monica C. Skewes

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Alcohol Dependence ◽

Suicide Ideation ◽

Alcohol Problems ◽

Future Research ◽

Causal Mechanism ◽

Students At Risk ◽

The Relationship ◽

Alcohol Related Problems

Abstract. Background: Previous research has demonstrated an association between alcohol-related problems and suicidal ideation (SI). Aims: The present study evaluated, simultaneously, alcohol consequences and symptoms of alcohol dependence as predictors of SI after adjusting for depressive symptoms and alcohol consumption. Method: A sample of 298 Alaskan undergraduates completed survey measures, including the Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire, the Short Alcohol Dependence Data Questionnaire, and the Beck Depression Inventory – II. The association between alcohol problems and SI status was evaluated using sequential logistic regression. Results: Symptoms of alcohol dependence (OR = 1.88, p < .05), but not alcohol-related consequences (OR = 1.01, p = .95), emerged as an independent predictor of SI status above and beyond depressive symptoms (OR = 2.39, p < .001) and alcohol consumption (OR = 1.08, p = .39). Conclusion: Alcohol dependence symptoms represented a unique risk for SI relative to alcohol-related consequences and alcohol consumption. Future research should examine the causal mechanism behind the relationship between alcohol dependence and suicidality among university students. Assessing the presence of dependence symptoms may improve the accuracy of identifying students at risk of SI.

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Coping Style as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms and Deliberate Self-Harm

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000083 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 32 (5) ◽

pp. 272-279 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Allison S. Christian ◽

Kristen M. McCabe

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Self Report ◽

Hierarchical Regression ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Deliberate Self Harm ◽

Self Blame ◽

Self Harm ◽

The Relationship

Background: Deliberate self-harm (DSH) occurs with high frequency among clinical and nonclinical youth populations. Although depression has been consistently linked with the behavior, not all depressed individuals engage in DSH. Aims: The current study examined maladaptive coping strategies (i.e., self-blame, distancing, and self-isolation) as mediators between depression and DSH among undergraduate students. Methods: 202 students from undergraduate psychology courses at a private university in Southern California (77.7% women) completed anonymous self-report measures. Results: A hierarchical regression model found no differences in DSH history across demographic variables. Among coping variables, self-isolation alone was significantly related to DSH. A full meditational model was supported: Depressive symptoms were significantly related to DSH, but adding self-isolation to the model rendered the relationship nonsignificant. Limitations: The cross-sectional study design prevents determination of whether a casual relation exists between self-isolation and DSH, and obscures the direction of that relationship. Conclusions: Results suggest targeting self-isolation as a means of DSH prevention and intervention among nonclinical, youth populations.

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Social Support, Emotional Intelligence, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

Journal of Individual Differences ◽

10.1027/1614-0001/a000185 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 31-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Nicole L. Hofman ◽

Austin M. Hahn ◽

Christine K. Tirabassi ◽

Raluca M. Gaher

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Emotional Intelligence ◽

Protective Factors ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Events ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

The Relationship

Abstract. Exposure to traumatic events and the associated risk of developing Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms is a significant and overlooked concern in the college population. It is important for current research to identify potential protective factors associated with the development and maintenance of PTSD symptoms unique to this population. Emotional intelligence and perceived social support are two identified protective factors that influence the association between exposure to traumatic events and PTSD symptomology. The current study examined the mediating role of social support in the relationship between emotional intelligence and PTSD symptoms. Participants included 443 trauma-exposed university students who completed online questionnaires. The results of this study indicated that social support mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and reported PTSD symptoms. Thus, emotional intelligence is significantly associated with PTSD symptoms and social support may play an integral role in the relationship between emotional intelligence and PTSD. The current study is the first to investigate the role of social support in the relationship between emotional intelligence and PTSD symptoms. These findings have important treatment and prevention implications with regard to PTSD.

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Interpersonal Stress and Poor Health

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027/1016-9040/a000003 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 3-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Mette M. Aanes ◽

Maurice B. Mittelmark ◽

Jørn Hetland

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Social Relationships ◽

Indirect Effects ◽

Social Connectedness ◽

Somatic Symptoms ◽

Total Effect ◽

Subjective Feeling ◽

Interpersonal Stress ◽

The Relationship

This paper investigated whether the lack of social connectedness, as measured by the subjective feeling of loneliness, mediates the well-known relationship between interpersonal stress and psychological distress. Furthermore, a relationship between interpersonal stress and somatic symptoms was hypothesized. The study sample included 3,268 women and 3,220 men in Western Norway. The main findings were that interpersonal stress was significantly related to psychological distress as well as to somatic symptoms, both directly and indirectly via paths mediated by loneliness. The size of the indirect effects varied, suggesting that the importance of loneliness as a possible mediator differs for depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and somatic symptoms. In the case of depressive symptoms, more than 75% of the total effect was mediated through loneliness, while in the case of somatic symptoms just over 40% of the total effect was mediated through loneliness. This study supports the hypotheses that social connectedness mediates a relationship between interpersonal stress and psychological distress. The study also provides the first link between interpersonal stress, as measured by the Bergen Social Relationships Scale, and somatic symptoms, extending earlier research on the relationship between interpersonal stress and psychological distress.

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