Publication Date

2024

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Lilly, Michelle M.

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Psychology

Abstract

Extant literature has illustrated the devastating effects of repeated exposure to discriminatory events on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), leading to the development of a psychological injury, known as racial trauma. Research has suggested that racial trauma can sensitize individuals to future stressors, potentially placing marginalized populations at risk of developing adverse mental health outcomes due to the pervasive effects of systemic racism. While the literature on racial trauma is expanding, there remains a paucity of research examining racial trauma in the context of inequity in communities of color, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, despite research identifying links between experiences of discrimination and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), trauma literature lacks a clear consensus on whether racial trauma fits under the umbrella of posttraumatic stress disorder. The current study aimed to address this gap by examining the potential moderating effects of COVID-19 stress on the relation between experiences of discrimination and PTSS and symptoms of racial trauma in a sample of BIPOC and multiracial students. Results indicated that experiences of discrimination were associated with racial trauma symptoms and PTSS.

However, COVID-19 stress was not found to be a moderator of the relationship between experiences of discrimination and racial trauma symptoms or PTSS. The current study underscores the effects of experiences of discrimination on the development of PTSS and racial trauma symptoms in BIPOC and multiracial students. Additional research is needed to further examine the role that COVID-19 stress plays along with experiences of discrimination in the development of PTSS and racial trauma symptoms in racially marginalized individuals. Methodological limitations associated with null results are discussed.

Extent

120 pages

Language

en

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

COinS