Depressive Symptoms and Protective Factors: A Qualitative Study of Native American Older Adults and Elderly
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Artist Statement
Literature Review. Research of depression in Native American older adults and elderly has been limited. The research that has been done has typically fallen into three domains: exploring the frequency of depression (Carleton et al., 2013), identifying or developing culturally competent measurement tools (Ackerson, Dick, Manson, & Beals, 2018), and determining the protective factors that reduce the effects of depressions. More specifically, Kaufman et al. (2013) found that spirituality was beneficial in reducing depression; however, this varied by tribe within their sample. Whitbeck et al. (2002) found that perceived social support among elderly Native Americans was a protective factor for the individuals displaying depressive symptoms. Method. This study is a secondary analysis of a qualitative data set of a larger community-based participatory research study which focused on stressors and coping in older adult and elderly Native Americans in the northwest (Wallace & Swaney, Resiliency in Native American Older Adults, 2006). This study examined 11 archival interviews (8 female and 3 male) with older adult and elderly Native Americans. The participants ranged in age from 50-79 years with a mean age of 62 years. The interviews were analyzed by a team of Native American researchers using a qualitative methodology, i.e., Grounded Theory. The analysis involved coding the interviews and identifing words and phrases that answered the four research questions. My research questions were: a) Do Native American older adults and elderly discuss symptoms of depression? b) If so, how do they discuss symptoms of depression? c) Additionally, if they report experiencing symptoms of depression do they report experiencing suicidal thoughts? d) If they report depressive symptoms, including suicidal thoughts, do they also identify any protective factors that may reduce the effects of depressive symptoms? Results. In this sample of NA older adults and elderly, the participants reported symptoms of depression including: depressed mood, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, suicidal ideation, trouble concentrating, and overeating. For example, the participants reported “feeling sad,” “feeling lonely,” and “crying for no reason,” which are indicative of a depressed mood. Participants also discussed having had thoughts of suicide and having made a suicide attempt. This sample of Native American older adults and elderly identified protective factors including: culture, family, friends, laughter, nature, spiritual beliefs, receiving and providing support, and values. Contextual events emerged as an important theme; participants reported attending boarding school, histories of sexual and physical abuse, divorce, and addictions. Discussion. We learned that these Native American participants described depressive symptoms that map right onto how the DSM-5 defines and described symptoms of depression. John (2004) reported that Native American populations may discuss more somatic symptoms of depression compared to the general population. Within this group of Native American participants, they discussed feeling down and having a depressed mood over more somatic symptoms. Chapleski et al. (2004) found that stressful life events have an impact on depression symptoms. The Native American participants within this study expressed how their stressful life events negatively impacted their mood. They discussed how their mood was impacted by their experience of stressful life events and how they utilized different protective factors to their advantage in overcoming their stressful life events.
Mentor Name
Gyda Swaney
Depressive Symptoms and Protective Factors: A Qualitative Study of Native American Older Adults and Elderly
UC 332
Literature Review. Research of depression in Native American older adults and elderly has been limited. The research that has been done has typically fallen into three domains: exploring the frequency of depression (Carleton et al., 2013), identifying or developing culturally competent measurement tools (Ackerson, Dick, Manson, & Beals, 2018), and determining the protective factors that reduce the effects of depressions. More specifically, Kaufman et al. (2013) found that spirituality was beneficial in reducing depression; however, this varied by tribe within their sample. Whitbeck et al. (2002) found that perceived social support among elderly Native Americans was a protective factor for the individuals displaying depressive symptoms. Method. This study is a secondary analysis of a qualitative data set of a larger community-based participatory research study which focused on stressors and coping in older adult and elderly Native Americans in the northwest (Wallace & Swaney, Resiliency in Native American Older Adults, 2006). This study examined 11 archival interviews (8 female and 3 male) with older adult and elderly Native Americans. The participants ranged in age from 50-79 years with a mean age of 62 years. The interviews were analyzed by a team of Native American researchers using a qualitative methodology, i.e., Grounded Theory. The analysis involved coding the interviews and identifing words and phrases that answered the four research questions. My research questions were: a) Do Native American older adults and elderly discuss symptoms of depression? b) If so, how do they discuss symptoms of depression? c) Additionally, if they report experiencing symptoms of depression do they report experiencing suicidal thoughts? d) If they report depressive symptoms, including suicidal thoughts, do they also identify any protective factors that may reduce the effects of depressive symptoms? Results. In this sample of NA older adults and elderly, the participants reported symptoms of depression including: depressed mood, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, suicidal ideation, trouble concentrating, and overeating. For example, the participants reported “feeling sad,” “feeling lonely,” and “crying for no reason,” which are indicative of a depressed mood. Participants also discussed having had thoughts of suicide and having made a suicide attempt. This sample of Native American older adults and elderly identified protective factors including: culture, family, friends, laughter, nature, spiritual beliefs, receiving and providing support, and values. Contextual events emerged as an important theme; participants reported attending boarding school, histories of sexual and physical abuse, divorce, and addictions. Discussion. We learned that these Native American participants described depressive symptoms that map right onto how the DSM-5 defines and described symptoms of depression. John (2004) reported that Native American populations may discuss more somatic symptoms of depression compared to the general population. Within this group of Native American participants, they discussed feeling down and having a depressed mood over more somatic symptoms. Chapleski et al. (2004) found that stressful life events have an impact on depression symptoms. The Native American participants within this study expressed how their stressful life events negatively impacted their mood. They discussed how their mood was impacted by their experience of stressful life events and how they utilized different protective factors to their advantage in overcoming their stressful life events.