Racial trauma and substance use behaviors in Black Americans

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Substance misuse is a coping mechanism for trauma.
• Black adults face higher trauma rates and racial trauma.
• Discrimination contributes to racial trauma and substance misuse.

Purpose of the Study:

• Examine the relationship between racial trauma and substance misuse in Black Americans.
• Identify potential moderating factors in this relationship.

Main Methods:

• Online survey administered to 327 Black adults across the U.S.
• Linear regression analyses used to assess associations and moderation.

Main Results:

• Racial trauma positively correlated with Alcohol Use Disorder.
• Denial coping significantly moderated the racial trauma-Alcohol Use Disorder link.
• No significant association found between racial trauma and drug use disorders.

Conclusions:

• Racial trauma is a risk factor for Alcohol Use Disorder among Black adults.
• Denial coping may offer some protection against alcohol misuse related to racial trauma.
• Further research is needed to understand the racial trauma-drug use disorder connection.