This commentary presents an “in
digenist” model of Native women’s
health, a stress-coping paradigm
that situates Native women’s health
within the larger context of their status
as a colonized people. The
model is grounded in empirical evidence
that traumas such as the
“soul wound” of historical and contemporary
discrimination among
Native women influence health and
mental health outcomes. The preliminary
model also incorporates
cultural resilience, including as
moderators identity, enculturation,
spiritual coping, and traditional
healing practices.
Current epidemiological data on
Native women’s general health and
mental health are reconsidered
within the framework of this model.
(Am J Public Health. 2002;92:
520–524)