Tayal and Han Youth's Experiences of Stressful Life Events

• In Event: Poster Session 10
  In Poster Session: PS 10 Topic - Solicited Content: Indigenous Children and Families

Abstract

Centuries of historical and structural disparities have imposed disproportionate stress upon indigenous peoples. Taiwan’s indigenous peoples are a branch of the Austronesians. They make up only 2.3% of the entire Taiwan’s population; the other 97% are Han. Indigenous youth in this study were from the Tayal tribe which is the 3rd largest of the 16 indigenous tribes in Taiwan. Stressful experiences, even though often seen as separate heterogenic types of events, are interconnected integrally affecting an individual’s psychological and social adjustment. This study examined stressors experienced by Han and Tayal youth at homes and in schools. Stressors were examined as discrete (item level) and cumulative incidents (cumulative scores), and person-specific incident profiles (latent classes).

This study sampled 291 grade-8 students (115 Tayal; 176 Han). Han and Tayal participants were the majority in their respective schools. Chi-square tests showed significant ethnic differences in socioeconomic status (SES). Han participants were from higher SES backgrounds (income: X2(5)=52.90, p < .001; father’s education: X2(6)=78.19, p < .001; mother’s education: X2(6)=88.70, p < .001 ).

Stressful experiences were assessed asking in the past year whether any family incidents (6 items) or school incidents (5 items) had happened (1 = yes, 0 = no). The cumulative incident score was created for family and school respectively by summing the items. Latent class analyses (LCA) were used to inspect the person-specific incident profiles experienced at homes and in schools. Table 1 shows the fit statistics and classification coefficients for the LCA results. It appeared that the 2-class solution was the best fit.

Chi-square and t-tests were used to examined ethnic differences (Tayal vs. Han) with respect to the item, cumulative-score, and latent-class levels. Table 2 provides the respective descriptive information.
Incident items. Tayal sample experienced significantly more parental divorce (X2(1) = 9.40, p < .01), fights between parents (X2(1) = 3.75, p < .06), and death of family members or friends (X2(1) = 7.92, p < .05). They also experienced more restriction from participating in school activities (X2(1) = 5.83, p < .05).
Cumulative incident scores. Tayal sample appeared to experience more cumulative stressful incidents at homes (t(285) = 3.41, p < .01). There were no significant ethnic differences in the cumulative school incident score.
Person-specific incident profiles. With respect to the family-incident LCA profile, 27% of the Tayal sample were classified into class 2 as opposed to 17% of the Han sample (X2(1) = 4.12, p < .05). Overall, class-2 participants experienced more tension at homes. There were no significant ethnic differences found for the school-incident LCA profile.

Tayal youth in this study appeared to experience more instability at homes and more opportunity restriction in schools, which reflects the socio-historical and economic disparity experienced by Taiwan’s indigenous youth in the broader structures. Stressful experiences might prevent the disadvantaged from developing their full potential, and, if unmitigated, might lead to psychological difficulties such as depression. It is thus imperative to be aware of disparity so that appropriate and sensitive services can be afforded to indigenous youth.

Author

• PEI-JUNG YANG, National Chengchi University
  Presenting Author