Becoming adults in a rural Yup'ik community: a longitudinal qualitative study exploring resilience

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore strategies for navigating challenges in a rural Alaskan Yup'ik community among youth and young adults. This qualitative study captures a longitudinal perspective as youth (N=25; 11 -18 years old) were originally interviewed in January 2010. For the current study, participants were re-interviewed in December 2012. Follow-up interviews addressed life challenges over the past three years and resources that helped them with their hard times. To reinforce the multifaceted nature of growing-up in a rural Yup'ik community, scholarly literature along with observations, conversations with local residents, and local wisdom captured in anthropological work are featured throughout this paper. Fifteen youth (14 years old - 20 years old) agreed to be re-interviewed. Developmental changes were noted regarding challenges and protective resources. Youth emphasized challenges as sources of vulnerabilities around lack of employment and interpersonal relationship strain. Similar to findings from the original study, interpersonal relationship distress was discussed in three distinct contexts including antagonist "girl drama," family discord, and partner relations conflicts. Youth identified personal strengths such as re-framing challenges, seeking personal space, and family support to overcome challenges. Contemporary understanding of emergent young adults' role and responsibilities in a rural Yup'ik setting warrants further study as it was found to be a source of vulnerability. Findings can inform clinical and prevention work in the community. For example, targeted community activities can address reported challenges including job fairs and workshops on healthy relationships with specificity to the experience of becoming an adult in rural Alaska.