The Effects of Polyvictimization and Cultural Connectedness on Indigenous Youth’s Mental Health and Negative Coping Mechanisms

Abstract

There is a dearth of research that assesses the impact of experiencing multiple types of victimization (i.e. polyvictimization) on marginalized populations such as Indigenous youth. The present study utilizes a sample from the Tribal Youth Victimization Survey (N = 359) to examine if polyvictimization (conceptualized two different ways) effects Indigenous youth’s mental health and participation in negative coping mechanisms (e.g. substance misuse, self-harm). Culturally integrated variables such as connection to culture, land, and support systems were evaluated as potential protective factors against these negative outcomes. Regardless of the way polyvictimization was conceptualized, most of the participants in the study were polyvictims, experiencing victimization in two or more of the victimization domains (62.95%) or experiencing four or more of the 33 victimization types (52.37%). Polyvictims had significantly more negative mental health experiences, more post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms, higher suicidality, and participated in more negative coping mechanisms than non-polyvictims. Polyvictimization was also a significant predictor of all four negative mental health outcomes. However, most of the culturally integrated variables were not protective against these negative outcomes. Implications and directions for future research on polyvictimization that are grounded in Indigenous culture are discussed.