Identity, Discrimination, and Resilience Among Two-Spirit Indigenous Emerging Adults

Steven L. Berman (), Annie Pullen Sansfaҫon, Elizabeth Diane Labelle and Aubrianna L. Stuckey
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Steven L. Berman: Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Sanford, FL 32773, USA
Annie Pullen Sansfaҫon: Department of Social Work, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
Elizabeth Diane Labelle: Cercle Indigiqueer Circle of Québec, Wendake, QC G0A 4V0, Canada
Aubrianna L. Stuckey: Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Sanford, FL 32773, USA

Social Sciences, 2025, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-12

Abstract: Previous research has shown that Two-Spirit Indigenous people may experience more trauma, interracial violence, and violent crimes than youth from other cultural backgrounds. This study aims to examine how identifying as Two-Spirit, an identity that integrates both non-cisgender and non-heterosexual identities, as well as Indigenous identities simultaneously and congruently, may allow one to feel more resilient and empowered. The sample consisted of Indigenous, sexual gender minority emerging adults ( N = 91) with ages ranging from 18 to 29 with an average age of 24.78 ( SD = 2.35). This sample reported perceived discrimination for being Indigenous, for their gender identity, and for their sexual orientation. The amount of discrimination for each of these categories was not significantly different, but the source was, and the predominant source for all three types was White individuals. The combined effects were related to lower self-esteem; more psychological symptoms of anxiety, depression, and somatization; and greater identity distress and higher scores on disturbed identity and lack of identity. In this study, Two-Spirit identification did not reduce the negative effects of discrimination by connecting with historical memory through this identity, but that does not necessarily mean that it cannot, only that its potential has yet to be fulfilled. Many participants did not have a full understanding of the label and its history. Further research into this idea is another area of study that might be fruitful.

Keywords: two-spirit; indigenous; gender identity; sexual orientation; emerging adults (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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