DeCou Christopher R, Skewes Monica C, López Ellen D S
Department of Psychology, Idaho State University, 921 S. 8th Ave., Mail Stop 8112, Pocatello, ID 83209-8112, USA.
Int J Circumpolar Health. 2013 Aug 5;72. doi: 10.3402/ijch.v72i0.20968. eCollection 2013.
Native peoples living in Alaska have one of the highest rates of suicide in the world. This represents a significant health disparity for indigenous populations living in Alaska. This research was part of a larger study that explored qualitatively the perceptions of Alaska Native university students from rural communities regarding suicide. This analysis explored the resilience that arose from participants' experiences of traditional ways, including subsistence activities. Previous research has indicated the importance of traditional ways in preventing suicide and strengthening communities.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 university students who had migrated to Fairbanks, Alaska, from rural Alaskan communities. An interview protocol was developed in collaboration with cultural and community advisors. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Participants were asked specific questions concerning the strengthening of traditional practices towards the prevention of suicide. Transcripts were analysed using the techniques of grounded theory.
Participants identified several resilience factors against suicide, including traditional practices and subsistence activities, meaningful community involvement and an active lifestyle. Traditional practices and subsistence activities were perceived to create the context for important relationships, promote healthy living to prevent suicide, contrast with current challenges and transmit important cultural values. Participants considered the strengthening of these traditional ways as important in suicide prevention efforts. However, subsistence and traditional practices were viewed as a diminishing aspect of daily living in rural Alaska.
Many college students from rural Alaska have been affected by suicide but are strong enough to cope with such tragic events. Subsistence living and traditional practices were perceived as important social and cultural processes with meaningful lifelong benefits for participants. Future research should continue to explore the ways in which traditional practices can contribute towards suicide prevention, as well as the far-reaching benefits of subsistence living.
生活在阿拉斯加的原住民是世界上自杀率最高的群体之一。这体现了阿拉斯加原住民在健康方面存在的显著差距。本研究是一项更大规模研究的一部分，该研究对阿拉斯加农村社区的原住民大学生对自杀的看法进行了定性探索。本分析探讨了参与者从传统生活方式（包括自给自足活动）的经历中产生的复原力。先前的研究表明传统生活方式在预防自杀和加强社区方面的重要性。
对25名从阿拉斯加农村社区迁移到阿拉斯加费尔班克斯的大学生进行了半结构化访谈。与文化和社区顾问合作制定了访谈提纲。访谈进行了录音并转录。向参与者询问了有关加强预防自杀的传统做法的具体问题。使用扎根理论技术对转录文本进行了分析。
参与者确定了几个预防自杀的复原力因素，包括传统做法和自给自足活动、有意义的社区参与以及积极的生活方式。传统做法和自给自足活动被认为为重要关系创造了背景，促进健康生活以预防自杀，与当前挑战形成对比，并传承重要的文化价值观。参与者认为加强这些传统方式对预防自杀的努力很重要。然而，自给自足和传统做法被视为阿拉斯加农村日常生活中逐渐减少的方面。
许多来自阿拉斯加农村的大学生受到了自杀的影响，但他们足够坚强以应对此类悲剧事件。自给自足的生活和传统做法被视为重要的社会和文化过程，对参与者有着终身的重要益处。未来的研究应继续探索传统做法有助于预防自杀的方式，以及自给自足生活的深远益处。
