Through Childhood Relationship with Grandparent, Enculturation Leads to Resilience in Native American Adults

ABSTRACT

Native American grandparents foster culture in their grandchildren and that enculturation predicts positive outcomes. No research has examined whether the warmth of the grandparent/grandchild relationship influences enculturation and thereby, resilience. We tested the hypothesis that warmth of the grandparent/grandchild relationship mediates the relationship between enculturation and resilience. Second, we hypothesize that warmer relationships with grandparents during childhood will predict greater resilience. Using a sample of 80 Native American adults (58 women, 22 men) ranging in age from 18 to 79 years (M = 40.41, SD = 15), we completed a multiple regression analysis using a path analytic/bootstrapping method. There was a significant indirect relationship between enculturation and resilience within the context of the grandparent/grandchild relationship. Warmth of relationship with grandparent positively predicted resilience. These results inform efforts to implement culture as a protective mechanism against the high rates of suicide, substance abuse, and instability within Native American communities.

KEYWORDS:

• Native American enculturation
• intergenerational relationships
• resilience