Graduation Date
2025
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
Project Type
Mixed Methods
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Art Therapy
Program
Art Therapy
Program Director
Lisa D. Hinz, PhD, ATR-BC
First Reader
Lisa D. Hinz, PhD, ATR-BC
Second Reader
Richard Carolan, EdD, ATR-BC
Abstract
American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) peoples have contributed significant efforts towards involvement in the military and have served in the Armed Forces at five times the national average. AI/AN peoples have served with distinction in every major conflict for over 200 years. There has been a pervasive and historical lack of recognition for their service and a lack of awareness of the intersection between Indigenous and military cultures (Ault, 2020; Bennett, 2009; Department of Veterans Affairs, 2020; Harris & Hirsch, 2020; Holm, 2010; Krouse, 2007; Marston, 1972; Nalewicki, 2021; NICOA, 2019; Viola, 2008; Wooda et al., 2021).
This study used arts-based narrative inquiry (ABNI) with a mixed methods design to explore the lived experiences of Alaska Native military veterans and active-duty service members with particular focus on the intersection between two cultural identities: Alaska Native and military. Ten participants agreed to participate in this study and completed two cultural identity surveys, the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure Adapted (MEIM-A) (Kulis et al., 2016), the Ganz Scale of Identification with Military Culture (GIMC) (Ganz, 2018) in addition to completing art-making and narrative story about experiences related to cultural identity before, during, and after serving in the military. Participants completed a follow-up questionnaire, the Art-based Intervention (ABI) (Snir & Regev, 2013), which provided additional insight about thoughts and feelings related to the art process, product, and art materials. Cross-data analysis provided a deep and rich view into the relationship between the survey data, the art-making, and narrative story, supporting a complex intersectionality between these two cultural identities. I hope the outcome of this research study increases understanding and recognition of Alaska Native military service and the importance of including culturally sensitive art therapy into wellness programs designed for military veterans and active-duty members.
IRB Number
11145
Included in
Art Therapy Commons, Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling Commons, Other Psychology Commons