Category: Racial Trauma
Erika Roach, M.A.
PhD Student
University of California at Berkeley
Albany, California
Monnica Williams, ABPP, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, clinical psychologist
University of Ottawa
Tolland, Connecticut
Erika Roach, M.A.
PhD Student
University of California at Berkeley
Albany, California
Stephanie Haft, M.A.
UC Berkeley
San Francisco, California
Aijah Goodwin, Ph.D.
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland
Arghavan Nepton, None
PhD Student; Research Assistant
University of Ottawa
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Children and adolescents belonging to communities of color (hereafter “Youth of Color”) frequently encounter race-related stress and trauma (RST) – a broad term encompassing racially discriminatory experiences such as overt racism, racial stereotyping, and racial microaggressions . Individual and meta-analytic studies have consistently demonstrated that exposure to RST is associated with detrimental psychological health outcomes in youth of color, such as increased risk for anxiety, depression, and suicidality (Argabright et al., 2021; Priest et al., 2013; Schmitt t al., 2012). Understanding the association between different characteristics of RST and specific mental health outcomes as well as underlying mechanisms of these associations is critical for identifying treatment targets and protective factors.
The four empirical papers included in this symposium examine the associations between different types of RST (e.g., microaggressions, racial discrimination, model minority stereotyping), different characteristics of RST (e.g., frequency, duration), and mental health outcomes including anxiety, depression, and trauma symptoms. Two presentations examine the association between RST and mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings highlight the importance of conducting a comprehensive assessment of RST to examine its role in case conceptualization and treatment planning.
We close with recommendations for assessing RST, incorporating the role of RST in case conceptualizations, and leveraging protective factors to provide effective treatment for youth of color. We also provide culturally responsive school mental health resources and best practices for supporting youth and families of color.
Presenter: Erika Roach, M.A. – University of California at Berkeley
Presenter: Stephanie L. Haft, M.A. – UC Berkeley
Presenter: Aijah K. Goodwin, Ph.D. – University of Maryland School of Medicine
Co-author: Anna Long, Ph.D. – Louisiana State University
Presenter: Arghavan Nepton, None – University of Ottawa
Co-author: Dana Strauss, B.S. – University of Ottawa
Co-author: Hesam Farahani, MA – Carleton University
Co-author: Jade I. Gallo, B.S. – University of Connecticut
Co-author: Monnica T. Williams, ABPP, Ph.D. – University of Ottawa