Work

Race-Based Social Rejection and Mental Health: The Role of Racial Identity

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background and Introduction: Race-based social rejection has been found to predict post-traumatic stress and depression symptoms, consistent with previous studies that have shown the negative mental health effects of racism, as well as social rejection in general. While racial identity has been noted as a protective factor among African Americans, the role it plays in the context of race-based social rejection is less clear. Methods: This study examines the relationships among self-reported race-based social rejection, hypothesized protective factors, and negative psychological outcomes among a sample of 230 low-income, urban African American men and women. Results: Multiple regression analyses revealed that racial identity did not moderate the race-based social rejection–depression relationship. However, it exacerbated post-traumatic stress symptoms in the face of race-based social rejection. Discussion: These results suggest that when one perceives such rejection, identifying strongly with one’s group may amplify post-traumatic stress by triggering collective instances of racial trauma. Conclusions: The role of racial identity highlights the unique nature of racial trauma, involving the interplay of individual and social facets, particularly among those who highly identify with their racial group, and call for collective and creative solutions.

Source: Trauma Care

DOI: 10.3390/traumacare5020006

Authors: Dorothy Chin, Tamra B. Loeb, Muyu Zhang, Michele Cooley-Strickland, Jennifer V. Pemberton, Gail E. Wyatt

Institutions: University of California, Los Angeles, California State University, Northridge

Language: English

Topic: Racial and Ethnic Identity Research

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,207