| Summary: | This study explores the survival factors that suicidal Aboriginal Youth used to
keep themselves alive. The purpose of this study was to develop categories that would
identify themes in the events reported by Aboriginal individuals, by exploring the
research question: "What are the critical incidents contributing to survival in suicidal
aboriginal youth?".
The research method involved interviews with 20 adult (18 and over) Aboriginal
volunteers (all residents of British Columbia) who possessed the ability to articulate,
identify and discuss their stories of survival. The Critical Incident Technique (Flanagan,
1954) was utilized to elicit 254 incidents from 20 participants. Fourteen categories were
created from the analysis of all events reported. Thorough validation techniques were
applied in order to test the soundness and comprehensiveness of the categories. In
addition, efforts were made to examine fit with the literature of the categories and expert
commentary concerning the results was provided. The categories reflected that survival
factors included: Responsibility to Others, Connection to/Love of Family, Professional
Support, Support of Non family/ Non Professional Individuals, Cognitive Shift/ Change
in Thinking, Avoiding a Negative Environment, Formal Education, Connection to
Cultural Heritage, Getting Sober, Normalizing One's Difficult Experiences/Learning You
Are Not Alone, Spirituality, Connection to Nature, Self Acceptance/Love/Care, and
Sense of Purpose/Making a Difference.
In addition, gender differences were examined and, through incidental
commentary of the participants, factors hindering survival were identified. The findings of this study contribute to the field of counselling psychology by
providing a scheme of categories that attempt to describe, from the perspective of
Aboriginal people, what has aided them in surviving suicidal thoughts, actions and
behaviours, in their youth. This research suggests promising developments in Aboriginal
survival and contains implications for practice and research. === Arts, Faculty of === Psychology, Department of === Graduate
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