Work

The impact of racist events on post-trauma mental health symptoms among immigrants and refugees in Canada: the role of racial trauma

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Immigrants and refugees are at greater risk of mental health symptoms, including elevated symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For racialized immigrants and refugees, frequent exposure to racist events is one of several predictors of mental health outcomes. According to race-based traumatic stress theory, repeated exposure to racist events can undermine safety, belonging, and dignity, and may lead to racial trauma, referring to the psychological and physiological stress responses arising from such experiences. However, it remains unknown whether racial trauma plays a mediating role in the relationship between racist events and mental health symptoms. To address this gap, the present study aimed to examine racial trauma as a mediator of this relationship among racialized immigrants and refugees in Canada.Methods: A sample of 182 immigrants and refugees in Canada (Mage = 30.76; 52.2% men; 52.7% of African descent) completed self-report measures. The mediating role of racial trauma in the relationship between racist events and mental health symptoms (PTSD, depression, anxiety) was examined using PROCESS Model 4.Results: Results indicated that racial trauma significantly explained the relationship between racist events and mental health outcomes, including PTSD (B = 0.35, CI [0.20, 0.56]), depression (B = 0.11, CI [0.06, 0.18]), and anxiety (B = 0.12, CI [0.08, 0.17]). The model accounted for 34.02% to 46.21% of the variances in mental health outcomes.Conclusions: Among racialized immigrants and refugees, greater exposure to racist events was associated with elevated racial trauma, which contributed to higher PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms. Clinicians, community organizations, and policymakers should integrate anti-racism strategies and racial trauma frameworks to support the mental health of immigrants and refugees.

Source: European Journal of Psychotraumatology

DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2026.2737042

Authors: Ling Jin, Tina Nguyen

Institution: University of Calgary

Language: English

Topic: Migration, Health and Trauma

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,704