Trait mindfulness as a strategy to mitigate substance use among American Indian/Alaska Native adults

American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Peoples have endured centuries of colonization, resulting in lasting mental health effects (historical trauma). Historical trauma has been linked to PTSD symptoms (e.g., grief, anger, hypervigilance) and resulting health inequities. Clinical psychology, particularly the subfield of positive psychology that centers communities, can help address maladaptive historical trauma coping (e.g., substance misuse) for AI/AN Peoples. Mindfulness is a promising intervention strategy that may mitigate the impacts of historical trauma responses among AI/AN Peoples to prevent substance misuse. The present study investigated relations between historical trauma thought frequency (HLS), historical trauma response (HLASS), trait mindfulness (total FFMQ score), and lifetime substance use among AI/AN adults. Participants self-identified as AI/AN, were ≥18 years old, and endorsed lifetime alcohol or drug use (n = 162) were recruited from a large, Midwestern university and surrounding community. Participants completed an online survey that assessed trait mindfulness, substance use, HLS, and HLASS. Pearson bivariate correlations and moderation analyses were conducted. On average, participants reported thinking of historical losses daily. Higher HLS scores were significantly associated with greater substance use and greater HLASS scores (ps<.01). FFMQ moderated the relation between HLS and substance use (p = .026), such that HLS and substance use were positively associated at low FFMQ levels but non-significant at high FFMQ levels. Findings suggest that AI/AN adults with high trait mindfulness may be less likely to engage in substance use despite the presence of historical trauma thoughts. As such, mindfulness-based interventions may represent promising approaches to reduce substance use associated with historical trauma among AI/AN Peoples. Future clinical and community-based participatory research studies can build on this work to culturally adapt mindfulness-based interventions to reduce substance use related to coping with historical trauma thoughts among AI/AN Peoples.