Urban American Indians' perceptions of historical trauma.

Abstract

This dissertation presents a study of the experience of American Indians, residing in an urban setting, regarding historical trauma. This study consists of two parts. The first aspect of the study is to correlate scores from the Historical Losses Scale (HLS) and the Native American Acculturation Scale (NAAS). The results indicate that higher scores on the HLS are moderately related to lower scores on the NAAS. The second aspect of this study presents findings from interviews with 12 participants regarding their perceptions of the effects of historical trauma (HT). The following themes emerged from the interviews: Assimilation Produces HT, Oppression, Loss of Language, Guilt-Not being able to pass on, Family Connection or Lack of, Loss of Traditions and Spirituality. The qualitative and quantitative aspects of this study are both theoretically and empirically related. Hence quotes from the interviews were used to illustrate the items of the HLS. The content of the interviews suggests that the impact of historical trauma is relevant for American Indians residing in urban areas.