A Descriptive Social Network Analysis of Indigenous Well-Being Support Through the Human and More-Than-Human Relations of Native American College Women

This research employs an egocentric social network analysis to describe the well-being social support networks of six Native American college women at one Midwestern university. Amid rising concerns about college student well-being, this study offers asset-based perspectives on the unique experiences of Indigenous college women, acknowledging the additional challenges they may face, such as racial discrimination and isolation. Descriptive findings reveal complex, multifaceted networks that encompass a diverse range of relationships, both on and off campus, incorporating friends, family, significant others, advisors, and various spaces, including outdoor locations and cultural hubs. I argue these Indigenous college women social networks are exemplars of Indigenous relational well-being in practice, which could serve as a model for well-being support that honors the human and more-than-human relations between people, space, and land. This study contributes to the existing literature by highlighting the importance of integrating personal, institutional, and environmental factors in supporting holistic well-being that goes beyond individualistic approaches and aligns with Indigenous philosophies, thus offering valuable insights for policymakers, institutions, and researchers aiming to enhance the well-being of Indigenous college women.