Catherine McKinley
Assistant Professor
Areas of Expertise
Biography
Dr. McKinley was drawn to health disparities research related to U.S. Indigenous Peoples (e.g. Native American, American Indian, Alaska Native, and/or Native Hawaiian) due to many of the distinct strengths demonstrated by these peoples as well as the high disparities related to violence, mental, and physical health. After conducting research on “how to conduct culturally sensitive research” she began working with tribes of the Southeast to address disparities in violence, mental health, substance abuse and health. Her work now extends cross-nationally. Given there has been a lack of culturally relevant frameworks to explain disparities, she has worked in collaboration with tribes to develop the ecological “Framework of Historical Oppression, Resilience, and Transcendence”, which identifies and organizes culturally relevant risk and protective factors across community, family, and individual levels. The FHORT situates disparities in relation to their structural causes (i.e., historical oppression and trauma) and acknowledges the tremendous strengths Indigenous peoples demonstrate through resilience and transcendence. Since coming to Tulane in 2013, she has published over 40 peer-reviewed journal articles, and presented at over 60 national and international conferences on such topics. She has been involved in federally-funded research to address violence and health disparities using culturally relevant intervention approaches.
After completing extensive grant-funded cross-tribal research to identify culturally relevant risk and protective factors related to violence and health disparities, Dr. McKinley now works to develop a culturally adapted evidenced-based program (EBP) to prevent substance abuse and violence among Indigenous peoples. The focus on family resilience and culturally grounded intervention programs aligns with the centrality of family and culture to Indigenous support systems. She also works to identify social and cultural determinants of health related to the health disparities of diabetes and related disorders (e.g., cardiovascular disease), cancer, in addition to mental health and substance abuse. Dr. McKinley approaches this work using a wellness approach, incorporating mental, physical, social, and spiritual aspects of health. By focusing on risk and protective factors across societal/community, familial, and individual levels, a holistic understanding will be gained.
Education
School of Social Work, University of Iowa
Department of Psychology, University of Iowa
School of Social Work, University of Iowa
Articles
Family as the Conduit to Promote Indigenous Women and Men’s Enculturation and Wellness: “I Wish I Had Learned Earlier”
2020
Purpose: The purpose of this article was to explore how food and other cultural traditions promote wellness, cultural continuity, enculturation, and family resilience within tribal communities in the U.S.
Method: Using the Framework of Historical Oppression, Resilience, and Transcendence (FHORT), this critical ethnography examined Indigenous peoples’ experiences with food and cultural traditions. Thematic analysis of qualitative data with 436 participants (approximately 2/3rds of which were women) across two Southeastern tribes revealed several themes.
Results: A central theme of “fostering the transmission of tribal knowledge and intergenerational family bonding” emerged. Traditions such as dancing, food, sewing, beadwork, basket-weaving, music, and tribal sports were some important facets of tribal culture. Food and cultural practices promoted wellness, pro-social values, and health by fostering physical activity, traditional food practices, enculturation, and social support.
Discussion: Programs that utilize the strengths of experiential learning through family and cultural practices are highly recommended.
Cardiovascular Health among US Indigenous Peoples: A Holistic and Sex-Specific Systematic Review
2020
Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review is to examine mental, sociocultural, behavioral, and physical risk and protective factors related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and related outcomes among U.S. Indigenous peoples.
Methods: A total of 51 articles met the inclusion criteria of research focusing factors for CVD among U.S. Indigenous peoples (Mental n = 15; Sociocultural, n = 17; Behavioral/Physical, n = 19).
Results: This review reveals clear risks for CVD, which tended to be elevated for females. Mental health problems (depression, anxiety, PTSD/trauma, alcohol, and other drug (AOD) abuse) were clearly associated with CVD, along with enculturation, social support, and the social environment – including discrimination and trauma. Poor diet and obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol were behavioral or physical factors.
Discussion: Overall, identified research was limited and in beginning stages, lacking more information on etiology of the interconnections across sex and the mental, sociocultural, and behavioral determinants of CVD.
American Indian women cancer survivors’ coping with depressive symptoms
2019
Objective: Depressive symptoms have been identified as a primary predictor of quality of life among cancer patients. Depression and cancer are co-occurring and disproportionately elevated for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women. The purpose of this article is to examine American Indian (AI) women cancer survivors’ coping mechanisms for depressive symptoms.
Research approach: The methodology included a qualitative descriptive approach with conventional content analysis to examine the coping strategies of AI women cancer survivors associated with depressive symptoms. The interview guide was semi-structured and developed in collaboration with a community advisory board (CAB). Data-derived qualitative analysis was used to generate codes inductively from the data.
Participants: A sample of 43 AI women cancer survivors (n = 14 cervical cancer, n = 14 breast cancer, and n = 15 other cancers) from the Northern Plains region, in the state of South Dakota were interviewed. Data were collected from June 2014 to February 2015.
Methodological approach: Qualitative content analysis was used for data analysis, which allowed themes to emerge inductively from the data. Analysis revealed 430 preliminary codes. After de-briefing, validation, and discussion among coauthors, these were then sorted into 67 codes. Member checks with all available participants were conducted to minimize misinterpretation.
Findings: A total of 26 participants (62%) indicated they had feelings of depression since their cancer diagnosis. Women coped with depressive feelings by (a) participating in faith traditions; (b) seeking creative and positive outlets; (c) martialing family and social support; and (d) keeping busy with other life activities.
Interpretation: AI women experienced depressive symptoms following a cancer diagnosis and used a variety of positive coping mechanisms to create personal meaning.
Implications for Psychosocial Providers or Policy: AI women may need unique support following a cancer diagnosis, and interventions should incorporate AI beliefs and traditions, such as storytelling and talking with family and community members.
Media Appearances
The Mystery Around Middle-Age Suicides
The recent suicides of two well-known figures—celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain and fashion designer Kate Spade—underscore a sobering reality: Suicide rates for people in middle age are higher than almost any other age group in the U.S. and rising quickly.
The conversation around sexual abuse in sports won’t be ending anytime soon
"Institutions and policies must be in place to ensure that abuse ceases to occur with impunity," Dr. Catherine Burnette, a professor within the School of Social Work at Tulane University, told the New York Daily News.
Sports needs to be a catalyst for eradicating sexual assault and harassment in 2018
"What's happening now is interesting, because things are being exposed, and that's really the silver lining to all of this," said Dr. Catherine Burnette, a professor within the School of Social Work at Tulane University, to the Daily News last December. "People aren't getting away with it as much, or at least there is some awareness that this is so insidious."
