Galán, C. A., et al. (2024).
The American journal of orthopsychiatry,
10.1037/ort0000807.
Advance online publication.
Abstract
Although scholars have increasingly drawn attention to the potentially traumatic nature of racial/ethnic discrimination, diagnostic systems continue to omit these exposures from trauma definitions. This study contributes to this discussion by examining the co-occurrence of conventional forms of potentially traumatic experiences (PTEs) with in-person and online forms of racism-based potentially traumatic experiences (rPTEs) like racial/ethnic discrimination. Additionally, we investigated the unique association of rPTEs with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), accounting for demographics and other PTEs. Participants were (N = 570) 12-to-17-year-old (Mage = 14.53; 51.93% female) ethnoracially minoritized adolescents (54.21% Black; 45.79% Latiné). Youth completed online surveys of PTEs, in-person and online rPTEs, and mental health. Bivariate analyses indicated that youth who reported in-person and online rPTEs were more likely to experience all conventional PTEs. Accounting for demographics and conventional PTEs, in-person and online rPTEs were significantly associated with PTSD (in-person: aOR = 2.60, 95% CI [1.39, 4.86]; online: aOR = 2.74, 95% CI [1.41, 5.34]) and GAD (in-person: aOR = 2.94, 95% CI [1.64, 5.29]; online: aOR = 2.25, 95% CI [1.24, 4.04]) and demonstrated the strongest effect sizes of all trauma exposures. In-person, but not online, rPTEs were linked with an increased risk for MDD (aOR = 4.47, 95% CI [1.77, 11.32]). Overall, rPTEs demonstrated stronger associations with PTSD, MDD, and GAD compared to conventional PTEs. Findings align with racial trauma frameworks proposing that racial/ethnic discrimination is a unique traumatic stressor with distinct mental health impacts on ethnoracially minoritized youth.
The article is paywalled, unfortunately.
Here are some thoughts:
From my perspective, the concept of racism-based potentially traumatic experiences (rPTEs) can be conceptualized as moral injury, particularly due to their association with PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The concept of moral injury acknowledges the psychological distress that arises from witnessing or participating in events that transgress one's moral values or foundations.
Racism, as a system that perpetuates harm and violates principles of fairness and justice, can inflict moral injury upon individuals by undermining their fundamental beliefs about equality and human dignity. The research highlight that the impact of rPTEs may be intensified by their chronic and pervasive nature, as they often persist across various settings and time periods, unlike conventional potentially traumatic experiences (PTEs) which are often time-bound. This persistent exposure can cultivate feelings of betrayal, shame, and anger, all of which are characteristic of moral injury.
Furthermore, the research advocates for expanding trauma definitions to encompass rPTEs, recognizing the psychological injuries they inflict, comparable to other traumatic exposures. This acknowledgment is crucial for clinicians to effectively assess and address rPTEs and the resulting racism-based traumatic stress symptoms in clinical practice with youth.
