Risk Factors Disrupting Wholistic Wellness Among Indigenous Families During COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• Indigenous Studies

Background:

• COVID-19 significantly impacted U.S. Indigenous populations, resulting in disproportionately high infection and mortality rates.
• Historical oppression and systemic inequities contribute to health disparities among Indigenous peoples.
• The framework of historical oppression, resilience, and transcendence (FHORT) offers a culturally relevant lens to understand Indigenous experiences during the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine how Southeastern Indigenous peoples in the U.S. navigated the COVID-19 pandemic using the FHORT framework.
• To assess the interconnections between structural inequity, historical oppression, and Indigenous wholistic wellness during the pandemic.
• To identify risk factors associated with COVID-19 outcomes among Indigenous participants.

Main Methods:

• Conducted 31 community-based, critical ethnographic interviews.
• Utilized an Indigenous toolkit for ethical and culturally sensitive research.
• Analyzed themes including racism, trauma, financial stress, violence, impaired unity, and disintegrated support networks.

Main Results:

• Systemic inequities, including racism and discrimination, were identified as significant risk factors.
• Incongruence between Indigenous family values and public health protocols (e.g., physical distancing) posed challenges.
• Trauma, financial stress, violence, and disruptions to kinship networks negatively impacted Indigenous wholistic wellness.
• Impaired collectivism and unity were observed within communities.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 risk factors for Indigenous peoples are largely rooted in systemic inequities and historical oppression.
• Culturally congruent crisis interventions are needed to support Indigenous wholistic wellness.
• Promoting traditional protective factors, aligned with the FHORT framework, is crucial for future resilience and recovery.