No abstract

To understand the impact racial experiences have on people of color, it is important to consider both whether there are any race-based traumatic stress symptoms (RBTS) and within-group psychological differences as reflected in one's racial identity status attitudes (RISA). Moreover, if the combination of RBTS reactions and racial identity status attitudes are related to their psychological functioning? The current study explored the relationships between a person's reactions to memorable racial encounters as assessed by the Race-Based Traumatic Stress Symptoms Scale, their racial identity status attitudes measured by the People of Color Racial Identity Attitude Scale, and psychological functioning (i.e., distress and well-being). Data from 282 adult community-based participants were used to examine the combined associations between RBTS, racial identity status attitudes, psychological well-being and psychological distress. A hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between race-based traumatic stress reactions and racial identity status attitudes. A two-cluster group solution was found that showed associations between externally defined or less mature racial identity status attitudes and higher RBTS symptoms and psychological distress. Internally defined or more mature or differentiated racial identity statuses were related to decreased psychological distress and RBTS symptoms. The findings were not expected in that lower racial identity statues were associated with higher levels of RBTS. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.

This study examined the relationship between race-based traumatic stress symptoms and traditional trauma symptoms in Black Americans. Although research has shown that experiences of racial discrimination can result in stress and trauma reactions, less is known about how these symptoms present and their relationship with traditional trauma presentation. Participants were 230 community-based Black American adults (58.7% male). Criterion-related profile analysis was used to examine the level and arrangement of race-based traumatic stress symptoms which predict trauma reactions in participants who report varying levels of racial stress. Level of race-based traumatic stress symptoms were significant predictors of trauma across all groups. However, the presentation of symptoms predicting trauma reactions differed between the No-Racial Stress and Racial Stress groups. In the Racial Stress group, depression, intrusion, anger, and low self-esteem primarily drove the relation between race-based traumatic stress symptoms and trauma reactions. Notably, the presence of hypervigilance was not predictive of trauma reactions for those with racial stress. Pattern in symptom presentation was not significant for the Racial Trauma group. These findings provide support for consideration of different symptom presentation when assessing trauma resulting from racial encounters.

Objectives: This study provides further validity for scores produced by the Race-Based Traumatic Stress Symptom Scale (RBTSSS), through examining the relationship between perceived discrimination, trauma symptoms, and mental health symptoms with the RBTSSS. Method: Participants consisted of 148 people of color (54% women) with an average age of 33.38 years. Study hypotheses were tested using correlational and regression analyses. Results: Validity was supported by strong relations with established symptom scores and perceived discrimination. Regression analysis found RBTSSS to be a significant predictor of trauma symptoms, controlling for general stress. Finally, multivariate analysis found perceived discrimination to be a stronger predictor of RBTSSS symptoms than general stress. Conclusions: The RBTSSS demonstrates strong relations with other symptom measures and perceived discrimination, supporting the validity of the RBTSSS scores. Both researchers and practitioners may benefit from use of the instrument which captures emotional outcomes specific to racial trauma. Public Significance StatementThis study emphasizes the impact racial discrimination has on people of color via a trauma framework. The findings suggest that the Race-Based Traumatic Stress Symptom Scale (RBTSSS) is a valuable tool to measure trauma-related symptoms derived from experiences of racial discrimination.

The impact of racial experiences on Whites has been underresearched and has rarely been considered traumatic. To understand these experiences, it is important to consider variation in one's orientation to their racial group (i.e., racial identity) and the type of racial encounter. Using a White adult sample and hierarchical cluster analysis, the authors found that reactions to race‐based encounters were associated with varying levels of psychological distress and well‐being and racial identity statuses. Clinical implications are discussed. El impacto de las experiencias raciales en personas blancas no ha sido suficientemente investigado y en raras ocasiones ha sido considerado traumático. Para comprender estas experiencias, es importante considerar la variación en la orientación de cada individuo hacia su grupo racial (es decir, la identidad racial) y el tipo de encuentro racial. Usando una muestra de personas adultas blancas y un análisis jerárquico de clústeres, los autores hallaron que las reacciones a los encuentros raciales estaban asociadas a niveles variables de malestar psicológico, así como de estados de bienestar e identidad racial.