Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-mp689 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-19T13:17:18.469Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Resilience among old Sami women

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 July 2015

LENA ALÉX
LENA ALÉX*
Affiliation:
Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Sweden.
*
Address for correspondence: Lena Aléx, Department of Nursing, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden E-mail: r.lena.alex@gmail.com or lena.alex@umu.se
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

There is lack of research on old indigenous women's experiences. The aim of this study was to explore how old women narrate their experiences of wellbeing and lack of wellbeing using the salutogenetic concept of resilience. Interviews from nine old Sami women were analysed according to grounded theory with the following themes identified: contributing to resilience and wellbeing built up from the categories feeling connected, feeling independent and creating meaning; and contributing to lack of lack of resilience and wellbeing built up from the category experiencing lack of connectedness. The old Sami women's narratives showed that they were to a high extent resilient and experienced wellbeing. They felt both connected and independent and they were able to create meaning of being an old Sami woman. Having access to economic and cultural capital were for the old Sami women valuable for experiencing resilience. Lack of resilience was expressed as experiences of discrimination, lack of connectedness and living on the border of the dominant society. Analysis of the Sami women's narratives can give wider perspectives on women's health and deepen the perspectives on human resilience and increase the understanding of minority groups in a multicultural world.

Keywords

Sami womenresiliencegendergrounded theorynarratives
Type
Articles
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 36 , Issue 8 , September 2016 , pp. 1738 - 1756
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ahlm, K., Hassler, S., Sjölander, P. and Eriksson, A. 2010. Unnatural death in reindeer-herding Sami families in Sweden, 1961–2001. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 69, 2, 129–37.Google Scholar
Aléx, L. 2010. Resilience among very old men and women. Journal of Research in Nursing, 15, 5, 419–31.Google Scholar
Aléx, L. and Hammarström, A. 2008. Shift in power during an interview situation: methodological reflections inspired by Foucault and Bourdieu. Nursing Inquiry, 15, 2, 169–76.Google Scholar
Aléx, L., Hammarström, A., Norberg, A. and Lundman, B. 2006. Balancing within various discourses – the art of being old and living as a Sami woman. Health Care for Women International, 27, 10, 873–92.Google Scholar
Aléx, L. and Lehti, A. 2013. Experiences of well-being among Sami and Roma women in a Swedish context. Health Care for Women International, 34, 8, 707–26.Google Scholar
Amft, A. 2000. Sápmi i förändringens tid: En studie av svenska samers levnadsvillkor under 1900-talet ur ett genus och etnicitetsperspektiv. (Sápmi in a changing world: A study of Swedish Sami living conditions during the twenties (20th) century from a gender and ethnicity perspective) Academic dissertation, Sami Studies, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.Google Scholar
Antonowski, H. and Sagy, S. 1986. The development of a sense of coherence and its impact on responses to stress situations. Journal of Social Psychology, 126, 2, 213–25.Google Scholar
Aroian, K. J. and Norris, A. E. 2002. Resilience, stress and depression among Russian immigrants to Israel. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 22, 1, 54–67.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Blix, B. H., Hamran, T. and Normann, H. K. 2013. Struggles of being and becoming: a dialogical narrative analysis of the stories of Sami elderly. Journal of Aging Studies, 27, 3, 264–75.Google Scholar
Bonanno, G. 2004. Loss, trauma, and human resilience. Have we underestimated the human capacity to thrive after extremely aversive events? American Psychologist, 59, 1, 20–8.Google Scholar
Bourdieu, P. 2001. Masculine Domination. Polity, Cambridge.Google Scholar
Butler, J. 1990. Gender Trouble Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. Routledge, New York.Google Scholar
Campbell, J. and Bunting, S. 1991. Voices and paradigms: perspectives on critical and feminist theory in nursing. Advances in Nursing Science, 13, 3, 1–15.Google Scholar
Charmaz, K. 2010. Constructing Grounded Theory. A Practical Guide Through Qualitative Analysis. Sage, London.Google Scholar
Dahlgren, L., Emmelin, M. and Winkvist, A. 2004. Qualitative Methodology for International Public Health. Umeå Print och Media, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.Google Scholar
de Beauvoir, S. 1949. The Second Sex. Penguin Books, Harmondsworth, UK.Google Scholar
DeMarco, R., Campbell, J. and Wuest, J. 1993. Feminist critique: searching for meaning in research. Advances in Nursing Science, 16, 2, 26–38.Google Scholar
Dyer, J. G. and McGuinness, T. M. 1996. Resilience: analysis of the concept. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 10, 5, 276–82.Google Scholar
Edin-Liljegren, A., Hassler, S., Sjölander, P. and Daerga, L. 2004. Risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among Swedish Sami – a controlled cohort study. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 63, 2, 292–7.Google Scholar
Fahy, K. 2002. Reflecting on practice to theorise empowerment for women: using Foucault's concepts. Australian Journal of Midwifery, 15, 1, 5–13.Google Scholar
Flach, F. 1988. Resilience: Discovering a New Strength at Times of Stress. Ballantine Books, New York.Google Scholar
Forssen, A. and Carlstedt, G. 2001. Work, health and ill health. New research makes women's experiences visible. Scandinavian Journal Primary Health Care, 19, 3, 154–7.Google Scholar
Foster, J. F. 1997. Successful coping, adaptation and resilience in the elderly: an interpretation of epidemiologic data. Psychiatric Quarterly, 68, 3, 189–219.Google Scholar
Frankl, V. E. 1963. Man's Search for Meaning: An Introduction to Logotherapy. Washington Square Press, New York.Google Scholar
Glaser, B. G. and Holton, J. 2004. Remodeling grounded theory. Forum Qualitative Social Research, 5, 2. Available online at http://www.qualitative-research.net/fqs/.Google Scholar
Goffman, E. 1990. Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity. Penguin Books, London.Google Scholar
Göransson, A. 1999. Gender and property rights: capital, kin, and owner influence in nineteenth- and twentieth-century Sweden. In Yeager, M. A. (ed.), Women in Business. Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham, UK, 272–94.Google Scholar
Grandbois, D. M. and Sanders, G. F. 2009. The resilience of Native American elders. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 30, 9, 569–80.Google Scholar
Haavind, H. 1984. Love and power in marriage. In Holter, H. (ed.), Patriarchy in a Welfare Society. Universitetsförlaget, Oslo, 136–67.Google Scholar
Hammarström, A., Johansson, K., Annandale, E., Ahlgren, C., Aléx, L., Christianson, M., Elwér, S., Eriksson, C., Fjellman-Wiklund, A., Gilenstam, K., Gustafsson, P. E. Harryson, L. Lehti, A., Stenberg, G. and Verdonk, P. 2013. Central gender theoretical concepts in health research – the state of the art. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 68, 2, 185–90.Google Scholar
Hankivsky, O., Reid, C., Cormier, R., Varcoe, C., Clark, N., Benoit, C. and Brotman, S. 2010. Exploring the promises of intersectionality for advancing women's health research. International Journal for Equity in Health, 9, 5, 2–15.Google Scholar
Hartling, L. 2008. Strengthening resilience in a risky world: it's all about relationships. Women and Therapy, 31, 2, 51–70.Google Scholar
Hassler, S., Soininen, L., Sjölander, P. and Pukkala, E. 2008. Cancer among the Sami: a review on the Norwegian, Swedish and Finish Sami populations. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 67, 5, 421–32.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hernández-Avila, I. 2002. ‘It is what keeps us sisters.’ Indigenous women and the power of story. Frontiers, 23, 2, 9–18.Google Scholar
Kaiser, N., Nordström, A., Jacobsson, L. and Salander Renberg, E. 2011. Hazardous drinking and drinking patterns among the reindeer-herding Sami population in Sweden. Substance Use and Misuse, 46, 10, 1318–27.Google Scholar
Kvenangen, P. 1996. Samernas historia [The History of the Sami] . Sameskolstyrelsen, Jokkmokk, Sweden.Google Scholar
Kvernmo, S. 2004. Mental health of Sami youth. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 63, 3, 221–34.Google Scholar
Kvernmo, S. and Heyerdahl, S. 2004. Ethnic identity and acculturation attitudes among indigenous Norwegian Sami and ethno cultural Kven adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Research, 19, 5, 512–32.Google Scholar
Lundman, B., Aléx, L., Jonsén, E., Norberg, A., Nygren, B., Santamäki-Fischer, R. and Strandberg, G. 2010. Inner strength – a theoretical analysis of salutogenic concepts. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 47, 2, 251–60.Google Scholar
Lykke, N. 2003. Intersektionalitet – ett användbart begrepp för genusforskningen? [Intersectionality – a useful concept for gender research?] Kvinnovetenskaplig tidskrift, 1, 47–57.Google Scholar
Maddi, S. R. 2005. On hardiness and other pathways to resilience. American Psychologist, 60, 3, 261–7.Google Scholar
McCormick, K. and Bunting, S. 2002. Application of feminist theory in nursing research: the case of women and cardiovascular disease. Health Care for Women International, 23, 8, 820–34.Google Scholar
Mead, G. H. 1934. Mind, Self and Society: From the Standpoint of Social Behaviourists. University of Chicago Press, Chicago.Google Scholar
Miller, J. B. 1986. Toward a New Psychology of Women. Beacon Press, Boston.Google Scholar
Morse, J. M. 2002. Theory innocent or theory smart. Qualitative Health Research, 12, 3, 295–6.Google Scholar
National Board of Health and Welfare 2010. Lägesrapport 2010 [Public Health Report 2010] . Evita Västra Aros, Västerås, Sweden.Google Scholar
Nilsson, L. M., Dahlgren, L., Johansson, I., Brustad, M., Sjölander, P. and Van Guelpen, B. 2011. Diet and lifestyle of the Sami of southern Lapland in the 1930s–1950s and today. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 70, 3, 301–18.Google Scholar
Nygren, B., Aléx, L., Jonsén, E., Gustafson, Y., Norberg, A. and Lundman, B. 2005. Resilience, sense of coherence, purpose in life and self-transcendence in relation to perceived physical and mental health among the oldest old. Aging and Mental Health, 9, 4, 354–62.Google Scholar
Olofsson, E. 2004. In search of a fulfilling identity in a modern world: narratives of indigenous identities in Sweden and Canada. Academic dissertation, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.Google Scholar
Östlin, P., Eckerman, E., Mishra, U. S., Nkowane, M. and Wallstam, E. 2006. Gender and health promotion: a multisectorial approach. Health Promotion International, 21, 1, 25–35.Google Scholar
Ramirez, R. 2002. Julia Sanchez's story: an indigenous woman between nations. Frontiers, 23, 2, 65–83.Google Scholar
Richardson, G. E. 2002. The metatheory of resilience and resiliency. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58, 3, 307–21.Google Scholar
Riseth, J. Å. 2001. Land as a production factor for Sámi reindeer management. No. HIN –Rapport 2001–5, Miljøteknologi, Høgskolen i Narvik, Narvik, Norway.Google Scholar
Rose, J. F. 1990. Psychologic health of women: a phenomenologic study of women's inner strength. Advances in Nursing Science, 12, 2, 56–70.Google Scholar
Rowe, J. W. and Kahn, R. L. 1997. Successful aging. The Gerontologist, 37, 4, 433–40.Google Scholar
Rutter, M. 1987. Psychosocial resilience and protective mechanisms. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 57, 3, 316–31.Google Scholar
Silviken, A. 2008. Prevalence of suicidal behaviour among indigenous Sami in northern Norway. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 68, 3, 204–11.Google Scholar
Stark, A. and Regnér, Å. 2002. In whose hands? Work, gender, ageing and caring in three EU countries. Universitetet, Tema Genus, Linköping, Sweden.Google Scholar
Staudinger, U. M., Marsiske, M. and Baltes, P. B. 1993. Resilience and levels of reserve capacity in later adulthood: perspectives from life-span theory. Development and Psychopathology, 5, 4, 541–66.Google Scholar
Tobin, G. A. and Begley, C. M. 2004. Methodological rigour within a qualitative framework. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 48, 4, 388–96.Google Scholar
Wagnild, G. M. and Young, H. M. 1990. Resilience among older women. Image: Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 22, 4, 252–5.Google Scholar
Wagnild, G. M. and Young, H. M. 1993. Development and psychometric evaluation of the Resilience Scale. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 1, 2, 165–78.Google Scholar
Walker, M., Fredericks, B., Mills, K. and Anderson, D. 2014. ‘Yarning’ as a method for community-based health research with indigenous women: the Indigenous Women's Wellness Research Program. Health Care for Women International, 35, 10, 1216–26.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Willgerodt, M. A., Miller, A. M. and McElmurry, B. 2001. Becoming bicultural: Chinese American women and their development. Health Care for Women International, 23, 5, 467–80.Google Scholar
Wuest, J., Merritt-Gray, M., Berman, H. and Ford-Gilboe, M. 2002. Illuminating social determinants of women's health using grounded theory. Health Care for Women International, 23, 8, 794–808.Google Scholar
Yellow Horse Brave Heart, M., Chase, J., Elkins, J. and Altschul, D. B. 2014. Historical trauma among indigenous peoples of the Americas: concepts, research, and clinical considerations. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 43, 4, 282–90.CrossRefGoogle Scholar