PSY324
Week 6 Journal
Southern New Hampshire University
PSY324
What predictions can be made about the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of this group in
light of their unique cultural background?
Historical trauma is a theory developed to explain problem faced by many Native
Americans in modern times. The theory states some Native Americans are suffering from
historical loss symptoms such as depression and substance abuse dependence because of
cross- generational trauma transmission from the trauma suffered by their ancestors (Brown-
Rice, 2020). Ancestors of the Cherokee tribe experienced loss of population, loss of land, and
loss of Cherokee culture from European colonization and it affects decedents of the Cherokee
tribe.
Native Americans are at higher risk of developing psychological distress and have
poorer mental health than all other racial groups in the United States. According to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death for Native
Americans aged 10 to 34 years old (CDC, 2021). Native Americans have the lowest life
expectancy and the highest poverty levels compared to other racial groups (CDC, 2021). Native
Americans attribute their current problems to “a legacy of chronic trauma and unresolved grief
across generations” (Braveheart & Debruyn, 1998).
In Native American communities, domestic violence are three and a half times higher
than the national average. Unfortunately, this number could be higher because many assaults
are not reported. Native Americans also have lower education rates compared to the other racial
groups with only about 11% gaining higher education degrees compared with the nation
Week 6 Journal
Southern New Hampshire University
PSY324
What predictions can be made about the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of this group in
light of their unique cultural background?
Historical trauma is a theory developed to explain problem faced by many Native
Americans in modern times. The theory states some Native Americans are suffering from
historical loss symptoms such as depression and substance abuse dependence because of
cross- generational trauma transmission from the trauma suffered by their ancestors (Brown-
Rice, 2020). Ancestors of the Cherokee tribe experienced loss of population, loss of land, and
loss of Cherokee culture from European colonization and it affects decedents of the Cherokee
tribe.
Native Americans are at higher risk of developing psychological distress and have
poorer mental health than all other racial groups in the United States. According to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death for Native
Americans aged 10 to 34 years old (CDC, 2021). Native Americans have the lowest life
expectancy and the highest poverty levels compared to other racial groups (CDC, 2021). Native
Americans attribute their current problems to “a legacy of chronic trauma and unresolved grief
across generations” (Braveheart & Debruyn, 1998).
In Native American communities, domestic violence are three and a half times higher
than the national average. Unfortunately, this number could be higher because many assaults
are not reported. Native Americans also have lower education rates compared to the other racial
groups with only about 11% gaining higher education degrees compared with the nation
