Abstract
Biomedical definitions of health have conventionally taken problem-based approaches to health, which may disregard indigenous perspectives of health that take a holistic approach and emphasize the importance of maintaining balance between physical, mental, and spiritual health and relationships maintained with others, the land, and the spiritual realm. Resilience-based approaches to health have been shown to foster strengths in indigenous communities, including the Native Hawaiian community, which leads to more positive health outcomes. The research questions of this paper asked, “how do Native Hawaiians conceptualize health and the concept of resilience specific to health?”. Qualitative methods were employed to explore the concept of resilience from the perspective of 12 Native Hawaiian adults. Community leaders and key stakeholders aided in the purposive recruitment process. The themes of this study include: (1) health maintained through balance, (2) being unhealthy vs. being ill, (3) the concept of colonialism and resulting adversities, and (4) protective and resilience factors that foster health. Cultural values and cultural practices may address concerns related to health disparities that stem from cultural and historical trauma, determinants of health, and environmental changes. Health interventions that are culturally-, family-, spiritually-, and land-based may particularly aid in responsiveness to health programs.
Highlights
Biomedical definitions of health have conventionally taken a problem-based approach with an emphasis on the absence of disease (Brüssow 2013)
This method may serve as a form of resilience, especially for indigenous peoples like Native Hawaiians, whose narratives have been silenced in sciences and history and devalued among Western societies
This study provides a better understanding of Native Hawaiian viewpoints on health, adversity, and resiliency, this study has limitations that are similar to other studies that have utilized qualitative research methods
Summary
Biomedical definitions of health have conventionally taken a problem-based approach with an emphasis on the absence of disease (Brüssow 2013). The belief that health is merely the absence of disease disregards other factors important to health (Baker et al 2005; McGregor et al 2003). Strengths-based approaches to health represent a shift from the usual deficit-based approach by taking a holistic approach and focusing on personal strengths and community resources to promote health (Kia-Keating et al 2011; Pulla 2012; Zimmerman 2013). Strengths-based approaches foster resilience, a concept referring to an individual’s ability to overcome adversity through protective factors, which in turn leads to better health outcomes (Pulla 2012).
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