Premium
Indigenous and non‐Indigenous parents separated from their children and experiencing homelessness and mental illness in Canada
Author(s) -
Caplan Rachel,
Nelson Geoffrey,
Distasio Jino,
Isaak Corinne,
Edel Betty,
Piat Myra,
Macnaughton Eric,
Kirst Maritt,
Patterson Michelle,
Aubry Tim,
Mulligan Susan,
Goering Paula
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/jcop.22455
Subject(s) - indigenous , historical trauma , thematic analysis , mental illness , mental health , narrative , racism , psychology , identity (music) , intervention (counseling) , disconnection , gender studies , qualitative research , developmental psychology , sociology , psychiatry , psychotherapist , political science , anthropology , physics , ecology , linguistics , philosophy , acoustics , law , biology
Abstract The purpose of this study is to examine the parent–child experiences of Indigenous and non‐Indigenous mothers and fathers experiencing homelessness, mental illness, and separation from their children. A qualitative thematic analysis of baseline and 18‐month follow‐up narrative interviews was used to compare 12 mothers ( n = 8 Indigenous and n = 4 nonindigenous) with 24 fathers ( n = 13 Indigenous and n = 11 non‐Indigenous). First, it was found that children are more central in the lives of mothers than fathers. Second, Indigenous parents' narratives were characterized by interpersonal and systemic violence, racism and trauma, and cultural disconnection, but also more cultural healing resources. Third, an intersectional analysis showed that children were peripheral in the lives of non‐Indigenous fathers, and most central to the identities of Indigenous mothers. Gender identity, Indigenous, and intersectional theories are used to interpret the findings. Implications for future theory, research, and culturally relevant intervention are discussed.