Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus, Duluth, Minnesota, USA.
Department of Psychology. University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska, USA.
J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2024 Mar 1;79(3). doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbad072.
This paper outlines the unique culturally driven cyclical migration of Alaska Native (AN) Elders, distinct from previously described migration patterns in that Elders spend extended time in more than one community. We describe this Indigenous cyclical migration of AN Elders and its influence on their identity and later life health and well-being.
Interviews with 124 AN Elders were conducted across 5 regions of Alaska: Bristol Bay, Interior, Norton Sound, Aleutian Pribilof Islands, and Southcentral. Within this sample, 87 participants engaged in cyclical migration. Thematic analysis was employed to identify themes related to Elders' cyclical migration between rural and urban communities and the impact on their identity and later life health and well-being.
We identified 2 distinct patterns of Indigenous cyclical migration-Elders living primarily in rural communities migrating to urban communities and Elders living primarily in urban communities migrating to rural communities. Elders engaged in these 2 patterns of cyclical migration to maintain cultural practices, access social, and health care services to maintain their physical health and well-being, and continue their community roles contributing to their AN Elder identity.
This study builds upon existing migration theories by introducing a cyclical pattern uniquely driven by AN identity, culture, and traditional practices. Findings illustrate how AN communities can support Elders who experience cyclical migration patterns to ensure they age successfully in both locations. Future research should explore cyclical migration patterns among other Indigenous populations with migration histories.
本文概述了阿拉斯加原住民（AN）老年人独特的、受文化驱动的周期性迁移模式，与之前描述的迁移模式不同，老年人会在多个社区中度过较长时间。我们描述了这种 AN 老年人的本土周期性迁移及其对他们的身份认同以及晚年健康和福祉的影响。
在阿拉斯加的 5 个地区（布里斯托尔湾、内陆、诺顿湾、阿留申群岛和南中阿拉斯加）对 124 名 AN 老年人进行了访谈。在这个样本中，有 87 名参与者参与了周期性迁移。采用主题分析来确定与老年人在农村和城市社区之间周期性迁移以及对其身份认同以及晚年健康和福祉的影响相关的主题。
我们确定了 2 种不同的本土周期性迁移模式——主要居住在农村社区的老年人迁移到城市社区，以及主要居住在城市社区的老年人迁移到农村社区。老年人进行这两种模式的周期性迁移是为了保持文化习俗，获得社会和医疗保健服务以维持身体健康和福祉，并继续履行社区角色，以保持其作为 AN 老年人的身份。
本研究通过引入一种独特的由 AN 身份、文化和传统习俗驱动的周期性模式，扩展了现有的迁移理论。研究结果说明了 AN 社区如何支持经历周期性迁移模式的老年人，以确保他们在两个地点都能成功老龄化。未来的研究应探索具有迁移历史的其他原住民群体的周期性迁移模式。
