Jennifer Elkins

Historical Trauma Among Indigenous Peoples of the Americas: Concepts, Research, and Clinical Considerations

Abstract Indigenous Peoples of the Americas have experienced devastating collective, intergenerational massive group trauma and compounding discrimination, racism, and oppression. There is increasing evidence of emotional responses to collective trauma and losses among Indigenous Peoples, which may help to inform ways of alleviating psychological suffering and unresolved grief. Tribal cultural and regional differences exist which may impact how the wounding across generations and within an individuals lifespan are experienced and addressed. This article will review the conceptual framework of historical trauma, current efforts to measure the impact of historical trauma upon emotional distress, and research as well as clinical innovations aimed at addressing historical trauma among American Indians/Alaska Natives and other Indigenous Peoples of the Americas. We will discuss assessment of historical trauma and implications for research and clinical as well as community interventions, and conclude with recommendations.

Wicasa Was'aka: restoring the traditional strength of American Indian boys and men.

We examined health disparities among American Indian men and boys within the framework of historical trauma, which incorporates the historical context of collective massive group trauma across generations. We reviewed the impact of collective traumatic experiences among Lakota men, who have faced cross-generational challenges to enacting traditional tribal roles. We describe historical trauma-informed interventions used with two tribal groups: Lakota men and Southwestern American Indian boys. These two interventions represent novel approaches to addressing historical trauma and the health disparities that American Indians face. We offer public health implications and recommendations for strategies to use in the planning and implementation of policy, research, and program development with American Indian boys and men.

In a Longevity Society, Loss and Grief Are Emerging Risk Factors for Health Care Use: Findings From the Health and Retirement Survey Cohort Aged 50 to 70 Years

In a society of long lives, parent and child life can overlap by as much as 50 years. Most children now experience the death of their parents as adults. Many of the 2.5 million deaths each year in the United States are parents. Parental loss is a risk factor for subsequent illness. The Health and Retirement Survey is a representative cohort of persons aged 50 to 70 years. Using the 2010 cohort data, we estimate risk for use of health care after the death of a parent. Loss is a near universal experience in the cohort (87%). A report of any loss increases risk of health care utilization by 20% to 30%. For a longevity society, preventing loss-related hospitalization is a measurable outcome for bereavement care.

The impact of mid- and late-life loss on insomnia: findings from the health and retirement study, 2010 cohort

Bereavement and insomnia are both well-documented risk factors for illness. We use cohort data to estimate risk of insomnia after death of a family member among adults aged 50 to 70 years. Each day, 6700 persons die in the United States. During the next 20 years, this number will increase. In this cohort, any loss increases the likelihood of insomnia. The highest rates of insomnia occur among women aged 50 to 59 years; men aged 65 to 70 years, and persons reporting death of a spouse/partner or child. Physical activity reduces this risk by one-third. Bereavement is a public health issue requiring a targeted response.

Seventeen years of human trafficking research in social work: a review of the literature

ABSTRACT The trafficking of persons around the world is a serious violation of human rights and manifestation of social injustice. It disproportionately affects women and children worldwide. Given the values of the social work profession and the prevalence of trafficking, it is essential to understand the current literature on human trafficking in social work journals. Using the PRISMA method, this systematic review (n = 94 articles) of human trafficking in social work journals found the following: more focus on sex trafficking than other forms of trafficking; a lack of a clear conceptualization and definition on the entire spectrum of trafficking; a lack of evidence-informed empirical research to inform programs, practice, and policy; and a dearth of recommendations for social work education. Specific implications for social work policy, research, practice, and education are highlighted and discussed.

Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse: Becoming Gender-Sensitive and Trauma-Informed

While there is a wide body of literature examining the behavioral, emotional, and social consequences associated with being sexually abused, comparatively few studies have focused on males. Sexual abuse victimization among males remains largely under-reported, under-treated, and under-recognized by researchers, practitioners, and the public. Researchers trying to clarify why sexual abuse in males has been overlooked point to prevailing cultural norms, myths, assumptions, stigma, and biases about masculinity. Consequently, there is often an assumption that males are not negatively affected by sexual abuse. Drawing extensively from the literature, this article provides a critical review of: (1) the nature, experience and impact of sexual abuse victimization for males; and (2) the multidimensional processes that promote and inhibit resilient outcomes. It concludes with a discussion of trauma-informed and gender-responsive recommendations and future directions for social work practice, policy, and research.

The Impact of Stressful Life Events on the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes in U.S. Adults From the Health and Retirement Study

Objectives We evaluated the association between cumulative stressful life events (SLE) and type of stress (lifetime vs. recent) and incident diabetes (T2DM) in middle-aged U.S. adults. Methods Data from the 2006-2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were analyzed (n = 7956). Stress-related differences in age at T2DM diagnosis were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. Results The adjusted risk of T2DM significantly increased by six percent per unit increase in cumulative SLE (95% CI = 1.03, 1.11), by five percent per unit increase in lifetime stress (95% CI = 1.00, 1.09), and by 23% per unit increase in recent stress (95% CI = 1.12, 1.36). Each level of cumulative SLE (one, two, three, and > four events) and recent stress (one and > two events) compared to no stress was significantly associated with an increased risk of T2DM. Each level of lifetime stress compared to no stress was significantly associated with an elevated risk of T2DM except for three events. Discussion Cumulative SLE and type of stress were associated with incident T2DM in middle-aged adults. Reducing the direct effect of stress with management interventions may reduce the indirect effect of developing T2DM and warrants further investigation.

Trusting and dependable sibling relationships as social capital among African American youth

ABSTRACT Background: Although it is well known that the relationship between siblings has demonstrable influence on positive youth development, little is known about which aspects of the sibling relationship influence health promotion in African Americans. Research on the role that siblings play in buffering the exposure and use of marijuana and participation in risky sexual behavior is rare, despite the documented link between risky sex and marijuana use among African Americans. Methods: In the current study, we use the National Comorbidity Survey- Adolescent (NCS-A), which is a nationally representative face-to-face survey of adolescents aged 13–18 years to investigate the extent to which a dependable and a trusting sibling relationship moderates the relationship between marijuana use and risky sexual behavior. Results: Trusting and dependable sibling relationships moderated the relationship between marijuana use and condom use, but not between marijuana use and number of sexual partners. Conclusion: Our results suggest that interventions aiming at nurturing and strengthening sibling relationships, especially social support, may have an impact on reducing risky behaviors among African American youth.

Long-Term Behavioral Outcomes in Sexually Abused Boys: The Influence of Family and Peer Context

ABSTRACT Sexual abuse of males is common. While a wide body of literature examines the behavioral, emotional, and social consequences associated with being sexually abused, comparatively few studies have focused on males. This study addresses this gap by examining the influence of family and peer context on long-term behavioral outcomes in a nationally representative, longitudinal, multi-informant sample of sexually abused boys 5 years after initial involvement in the child welfare system (N = 171). Cumulative family risk conferred greater risk for internalizing and externalizing problems over time while social skills had a buffering effect. Peer rejection had a more prominent role in influencing internalizing outcomes; however, this influence did not extend to externalizing problems. These findings lend support to the growing body of research underscoring the dynamic and complex relationship between behavioral problems across development. As prevention and intervention efforts for males are developed, it is critical to consider sexual abuse victimization and the multi-systemic risk and resilience processes.

Teaching With Tupac: Building a Solid Grounding in Theory Across the Social Work Education Continuum

This article describes a collaborative and emergent approach utilizing Tupac Shakur’s “Brenda’s Got a Baby” to leverage theory education. This song/video uses a fictionalized account of a pregnant 12-year-old African American girl to chronicle the ecological realities of life in the inner city (e.g., teen pregnancy, drug addiction and trafficking, incest, poverty, dysfunctional families, lack of opportunity, ineffective educational and welfare systems, runaway youth, commercial sexual exploitation, violence, and a racially insensitive law enforcement response). Because of the complexity and convergence of multiple issues and social problems in Brenda’s life, and their impact across the micro–macro spectrum, this song/video is an effective anchor for a semester-long emphasis on a critically conscious approach to theory. This article (a) reviews hip-hop as a vehicle for pedagogy; (b) explores Tupac’s early history and approach to information dissemination; and (c) discusses underlying assumptions and application in BSW-, MSW-, and PhD-level theory courses.