The Society for Research in Child Development Releases the Child Development Special Section: “Highlighting Indigenous Child Development: Edges and Possibilities in State-of-the-Art Research”

Indigenous populations, including American Indians, Alaska Natives, First Nations, and other groups that represent the first peoples of places spanning the globe, have largely been overlooked or excluded from child development research (Thompson et al., 2012; Shepherd & Zubrick, 2012). Further, much of the existing Indigenous child development research has examined negative behaviors, outcomes, and pathologies (e.g., academic failure, mental health problems, substance use disorders, and suicide), while failing to acknowledge existing strengths, resilience, and unique cultural practices among Indigenous children, youth, and families (Denham, 2008; Kirmayer et al., 2011; Kirmayer et al., 2014).

This November, during which National Native American Heritage Month is observed, the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) is pleased to highlight research focused on Indigenous children, youth and families with the following studies:

• Introduction: “To heal, grow, and thrive: Engaging Indigenous Paradigms and Perspectives in Developmental Science” by Monica Tsethlikai (Arizona State University); Ashley Cole (Oklahoma State University); Adam J. Hoffman (Cornell University); Megan Bang (Northwestern University); Florrie Fei-Yin Ng (The Chinese University of Hong Kong).
• “Beyond Attachment Theory: Indigenous Perspectives on the Child-Caregiver Bond from a Northwest Tribal Community” by Sara F. Waters (Washington State University Vancouver); Meenakshi Richardson (Washington State University Vancouver); Sara R. Mills (Washington State University Vancouver); Alvina Marris (Coulee Medical Center); Fawn Harris (Washington State University Vancouver); Myra Parker (University of Washington).
• “Strong Cultural Connectedness Buffers Urban American Indian Children from the Negative Effects of Stress on Mental Health” by Monica Tsethlikai (Arizona State University); Kevin Korous (Medical College of Wisconsin); Juyoung Kim (Arizona State University).
• “Mother-Child Collaboration in an Indigenous Community: Changing and Enduring across Generations” by Barbara Rogoff and Itzel Aceves-Azuara (University of California Santa Cruz).
• “Determinants Of Socioemotional And Behavioral Well-Being Among First Nations Children Living Off-Reserve In Canada: A Cross-Sectional Study” by Sawayra Owais (McMaster University Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine); Maria B. Ospina (Queen’s University); Camron D. Ford (Western University); Troy Hill (McMaster University); Jessica Lai (McGill University); John Krzeczkowski (Brock University); Jacob A. Burack (McGill University); Ryan J. Van Lieshout (McMaster University).
• Commentary: “Overcoming Human Exceptionalism: The Role of Ethical Nature-Culture Relations in the Developmental Contexts of Indigenous Children” by Emma Elliott (University of Washington) and Jillian Fish (Macalester College).
• Commentary: “Oh, the Places You’ll Go”: The Psychological Consequences of Omission and Misrepresentation for Native Children” by Stephanie A. Fryberg (Northwestern University) and Arianne E. Eason (University of California, Berkeley).

“The studies included in this Special Section represent an important scientific contribution highlighting diverse methods and approaches to understand key developmental processes among Indigenous children, youth, and families within the United States and across the global world,” said Dr. Shauna M. Cooper, Interim Editor of Child Development.

SRCD expresses gratitude for the efforts from the Special Section editorial team: Monica Tsethlikai (Arizona State University); Ashley Cole (Oklahoma State University); Adam J. Hoffman (Cornell University); Megan Bang (Northwestern University); and Florrie Fei-Yin Ng (The Chinese University of Hong Kong).

For additional information or interviews with authors, please contact SRCD’s PR Consultant, Jessica Efstathiou: jefstathiou@srcd.org.