Year of Award

2022

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Name

Clinical Psychology

Department or School/College

Department of Psychology

Committee Chair

Christine Fiore

Commitee Members

Duncan Campbell, Anisa Goforth, Gayle Morse, Annjeanette Belcourt

Keywords

Acculturation, Depression, Native American, Self-Compassion

Abstract

Research examining the relationship between depression and self-compassion in a Native American (NA) sample is limited (Tielke, 2016). Previous research has found a negative relationship between depression and self-compassion in the general population (Johnson & O’Brien, 2013; Macbeth & Gumley, 2012; Neff, 2003b). Additionally, culture has been found to be beneficial in decreasing depression symptoms in NA persons (Whitbeck et al., 2002). Furthermore, as far as this researcher knows, there is no research examining the relationship between depression, self-compassion and acculturation in a NA sample. This study explored the relationship between depression and self-compassion while utilizing acculturation as a moderator in a tribal sample of NA. Hypotheses included (1) that there would be a negative association between depression and self-compassion; (2) that there would be a negative association between acculturation scores (both NA culture and White culture) and depression scores; and (3) that the level in which a participant acculturates to White, mainstream American identity or NA identity will moderate the association between self-compassion and depression. Participants (n = 105) in this study were self-identified individuals from a Northeastern Tribe in the U.S. ages 20-65 (M age = 29.66, SD = 6.24), who live in proximity to or on a reservation. The results found a statistically significant negative relationship between depression and self-compassion. There was also a negative statistically significant relationship between depression and NA culture. Whereas a positive statistically significant relationship was found between depression and White culture. In regard to the third hypothesis, the overall model with White, mainstream American culture was statistically significant; however, the interaction between White, mainstream American culture was not a significant moderator between self-compassion and depression. In regard to the NA culture, and the overall model was also statistically significant; however, NA culture did not moderate the relationship between self-compassion and depression. While a moderation was not found within the sample, the model was found to be statistically significant with NA culture and self-compassion accounting for a large portion of variance. Taking the findings into consideration, it is recommended that clinicians consider utilizing self-compassion approaches when working with NA from this tribe when treating depression symptoms. Finally, research should focus on incorporating self-compassion approaches and exploring individuals’ cultural identities in the treatment of depression within NA populations.

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© Copyright 2022 Kristen Kaylie Pyke-Pierce