An Exploration Of Resilience Among Native Hawaiians
Date
2017-05
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Abstract
Native Hawaiians are represented in the literature as experiencing poor health when
compared to other major ethnic groups and the general population of Hawai‘i. Despite the
pressing need to address health disparities experienced by Native Hawaiians, minimal research
takes a strengths-based approach or examines resilience factors that serve as buffers for adverse
experiences of Native Hawaiians. Strengths-based approaches to health may specifically foster
resilience, a concept referring to an individual’s ability to overcome adversity through protective
factors, which in turn leads to better health outcomes.
The overall purpose of this dissertation was to examine factors that foster resilience and
increase the overall health and wellbeing of Native Hawaiians. The conceptual model of this
dissertation was based on an integration of the concept of Lōkahi—balance with the ‘āina (land
or environment), kānaka (the community), and akua (God or the spiritual realm)—and the Socio-
Ecological Model, which considers prevention on multiple levels including the individual,
interpersonal, and community level.
Studies 1 and 2 were based on data collected from the Hawaiian Homestead Survey. In
study 1, psychometric properties of scales that measured resilience factors through internal assets
and coping resources available to an individual on multiple levels were determined through
higher order confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). In study 2, structural equations models were
developed to determine whether resilience (based on the construct developed in study 1) served
as a mediator or moderator of adversity (measured through SES and perceived racism) on health.
In study 3, a total of 12 key informant interviews were conducted to explore the concept of
resilience specific to health through the perspective of Native Hawaiians currently residing on
Hawaiian Homestead Lands.
Together, the results from this dissertation suggest that: 1) health may be perceived
through a holistic perspective; 2) resilience may be considered as a multi-dimensional construct,
consistent with recent research focusing on resilience; and 3) socio-economic burdens and
competing demands may be considered as substantial adversities for Native Hawaiians residing
on Hawaiian Homestead Lands. The final chapter of this dissertation provides implications for
practice, policy, and future research.
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Native Hawaiian, strengths-based, assets, coping, culture, health, socio-ecological model
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