Self- and Collective Care as Radical Acts: A Mixed-Method Study on Racism-Based Traumatic Stress Among Emerging Adults

Racism has been declared a public health threat. With increased direct and vicarious exposure to racism-based violence through social media, we explored the associations between racism-based events and traumatic stress symptomatology, as well as self- and collective care (inclusive of coping, activism, and ethnic and racial identity) through a mixed-methods approach. A total of 104 racism-based events were reported across 43 Black and/or Latine/x emerging adults in the sample, with a majority endorsing racism-based stress or traumatic stress (i.e., the symptomatology associated with a racism-based event). Individuals who reported higher racism-based traumatic stress symptoms immediately following a racism-based event also reported higher ethnic identity resolution scores. Further, 19%-42% of participants reported racism-based traumatic stress and racism-based stress more recently (respectively), showing that racism-based events may be traumatic stressors with long-term mental health consequences. Participants provided thick descriptions of how they defined and engaged in self- and collective care as wellness and activism and reported engaging in cultural, ancestral, spiritual, and religious practices in an attempt to heal. The findings of this study underscore the importance of radical hope and radical healing for Black and Latine/x communities. Public Policy Relevance Statement Exposure to racism, whether directly or vicariously, has negative implications for mental health; while this has been well-documented, traumatic stress has not been included in mental health diagnostic codes. This study suggests that mental health policies at the institutional and structural level should address direct and vicarious exposure to racism as well as acknowledge these experiences as bona fide traumatic stressors necessitating their own diagnostic category or code. Policies must also be created to address the harm done to communities of color and improve clinician training to affirm and support racially and ethnically minoritized individuals in their self-healing and collective healing journey and pursuit for racial justice.