Links Between Exposure to Racial Discrimination, Sleep Disturbances & PTSD Among Black American Adults

Mentor 1

Larson Christine

Start Date

10-5-2022 10:00 AM

Description

Trauma exposure is very common, approximately 70 percent of adults experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. In addition, 20 percent of people who experience a traumatic event will develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD, in addition to exposure to racial discrimination and poor sleep quality, has disproportionately impacted the African American and/or Black adult population. Therefore, the disparity of exposure to racial discrimination among Black American adults is emphasized here. Although previous literature suggests that experiencing racial discrimination can have adverse effects on mental and physical health including sleep disturbances, and posttraumatic stress symptoms, no studies have investigated the correlation amongst these three variables. The purpose of the current study is to examine the links between exposure to racial discrimination and sleep disturbances, as well as how they contribute to increased risk of developing PTSD symptoms. Furthermore, we investigated whether sleep quality mediates the relationship between racial discrimination and PTSD. Participants identifying as African American and/or Black were recruited from a hospital in Southeastern Wisconsin where they were being treated for traumatic injuries. Baseline PTSD symptoms and individual lifetime experiences with racial discrimination were assessed at 2 weeks post-trauma. Participants completed a follow-up at 3 months and 6 months post-trauma measuring insomnia severity and PTSD severity, respectively. Results indicate that increased exposure to racial discrimination is correlated with decreased sleep quality. Furthermore, racial discrimination and sleep quality significantly predict early risk of PTSD and uniquely contribute to the development of symptoms. These findings indicate the real impact of exposure to racial discrimination, particularly among Black Americans, on overall mental well-being. Additionally, this study adds to previous empirical evidence calling for the need of a directed critical focus toward the structures and systems that nurture this racial/ethnic inequality.

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May 10th, 10:00 AM

Links Between Exposure to Racial Discrimination, Sleep Disturbances & PTSD Among Black American Adults

Trauma exposure is very common, approximately 70 percent of adults experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. In addition, 20 percent of people who experience a traumatic event will develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD, in addition to exposure to racial discrimination and poor sleep quality, has disproportionately impacted the African American and/or Black adult population. Therefore, the disparity of exposure to racial discrimination among Black American adults is emphasized here. Although previous literature suggests that experiencing racial discrimination can have adverse effects on mental and physical health including sleep disturbances, and posttraumatic stress symptoms, no studies have investigated the correlation amongst these three variables. The purpose of the current study is to examine the links between exposure to racial discrimination and sleep disturbances, as well as how they contribute to increased risk of developing PTSD symptoms. Furthermore, we investigated whether sleep quality mediates the relationship between racial discrimination and PTSD. Participants identifying as African American and/or Black were recruited from a hospital in Southeastern Wisconsin where they were being treated for traumatic injuries. Baseline PTSD symptoms and individual lifetime experiences with racial discrimination were assessed at 2 weeks post-trauma. Participants completed a follow-up at 3 months and 6 months post-trauma measuring insomnia severity and PTSD severity, respectively. Results indicate that increased exposure to racial discrimination is correlated with decreased sleep quality. Furthermore, racial discrimination and sleep quality significantly predict early risk of PTSD and uniquely contribute to the development of symptoms. These findings indicate the real impact of exposure to racial discrimination, particularly among Black Americans, on overall mental well-being. Additionally, this study adds to previous empirical evidence calling for the need of a directed critical focus toward the structures and systems that nurture this racial/ethnic inequality.