Distress Tolerance & Emotion Regulation as Potential Mediators Between Race-Based Traumatic Stress and Maladaptive...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Trauma Studies
• Mental Health

Background:

• Discrimination experiences are linked to race-based traumatic stress symptoms (RBTSS).
• RBTSS symptoms resemble posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and secondary traumatic stress (STS).
• Limited research exists on coping mechanisms for RBTSS and related mediating factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate emotion regulation and distress tolerance as mediators between RBTSS and maladaptive coping.
• To explore the relationship between RBTSS and coping strategies in individuals of color.
• To understand how RBTSS relates to PTSD and STS concerning maladaptive coping.

Main Methods:

• Structural equation modeling was used to analyze a parallel multiple mediator model.
• 220 participants of color completed online self-report measures.
• Measures included emotion regulation, distress tolerance, RBTSS, and coping behaviors.

Main Results:

• Emotion regulation significantly mediated the relationship between RBTSS and maladaptive coping.
• Distress tolerance did not mediate the relationship between RBTSS and maladaptive coping.
• RBTSS appears more similar to STS than PTSD regarding maladaptive coping.

Conclusions:

• Emotion regulation strategies are crucial for mitigating maladaptive coping in individuals with RBTSS.
• Interventions targeting emotion regulation may reduce maladaptive behaviors such as self-blame and substance use.
• Findings inform future research and clinical interventions for RBTSS.