How African American Men Cope with Race-Based Traumatic Stress: A Quantitative Study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Public Health

Background:

• Race-based traumatic stress (RBTS) significantly impacts the mental health of African American men.
• Understanding the specific stressors and coping mechanisms is crucial for effective intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the experiences of race-based traumatic stress (RBTS) among African American men.
• To identify the coping strategies employed by this demographic.
• To explore the relationship between RBTS symptoms and coping behaviors, considering sociodemographic factors.

Main Methods:

• A purposive sample of 148 African American emerging adults in St. Louis, Missouri, was surveyed.
• Descriptive, univariate, and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted.
• Sociodemographic factors including age, income, and employment were controlled.

Main Results:

• Anger, avoidance, and intrusive thoughts were prevalent RBTS symptoms, with average scores between 48.2 and 49.4.
• Income emerged as a significant predictor for religious coping and substance use as coping strategies.
• Socioeconomic status appears to influence the management of RBTS in African American men.

Conclusions:

• Culturally relevant mental health interventions must integrate economic and coping dimensions for African American men.
• Further longitudinal research is needed to understand the evolution of coping mechanisms and inform targeted support.
• Addressing RBTS requires a nuanced approach that considers individual socioeconomic contexts.