The Burden of Racism: How Black Emerging Adult Women Cope with Racism-based Traumatic Stress

This study examines how emerging African American women cope with race-based traumatic stress (RBTS) and the role of sociodemographic factors in shaping their coping behaviors. Data were collected from a purposive sample of 152 African American emerging adult female college students aged 18-29 in St. Louis, Missouri. Using descriptive statistics, univariate analyses, and multiple linear regression, the study investigated RBTS symptom severity and its relationship with coping strategies while controlling for age, income, and employment. Key findings revealed that low self-esteem significantly predicted substance use coping, avoidance was linked to behavioral disengagement, and income was negatively associated with restraint coping, suggesting financial stability may reduce the reliance on self-regulatory strategies. These results underscore the complex interplay between RBTS symptoms, coping mechanisms, and socioeconomic variables. The study highlights the critical need for culturally responsive mental health interventions that address both individual and systemic factors to promote adaptive coping among African American women. Future research should explore these dynamics longitudinally to understand coping strategies' evolution and inform targeted interventions.