(PS6-99) Rejection Sensitivity Exacerbates Trauma Symptoms Following COVID anti-Asian Racism: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Abstract Text:

Background: Rejection sensitivity (RS) is a habitual emotional response in which one experiences and reacts to real or perceived rejection with elevated intensity. RS has been linked to personality and mood disorders like Borderline Personality Disorder and Depressive Disorders, and may influence individuals' interpretations of traumatic experiences, such as when Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are targets of racism. The constant state of hypervigilance and emotional intensity associated with RS may put individuals at higher risk for experiencing trauma symptoms and developing PTSD. Research is needed to examine individual-level variations that moderate the impact of experiencing racism and resulting mental health sequelae to better meet the needs of clients. This study examined RS’ impact on COVID-19 discriminatory experiences and racial trauma symptoms for AAPI individuals. We hypothesized that individuals with high RS experience more racial trauma symptoms.

Methods: 178 Asian-identified individuals participated in a mixed methods Qualtrics study between September 2020 and January 2021. Participants completed measures of demographics, rejection sensitivity, racial trauma symptoms, and described their experiences with COVID racism. Qualitative content analysis (QCA) was utilized to investigate the consequences of discrimination. RS levels were determined by median split. We engaged in data triangulation by using Mann-Whitney U analyses to examine the relationship between RS and trauma symptoms. To understand the depth of experiences across individuals, we employed mixed methods to hear from participant voices the nuances that influence the interpretation of COVID anti-Asian racism experiences and resulting trauma symptoms of discrimination.

Results: We organized our qualitative outcomes into two main themes: 1) Internalizing themes comprised experiences where participants' thought processes following racism focused on themselves, and included fear, constant rumination, and avoiding social interactions, and 2) Externalizing themes described participants' focus on others, which included contempt, decreased trust in the world, and seeking social support. Participants high in RS were more likely to perceive and react to others’ ambiguous facial expressions and body language. Mann-Whitney U analyses demonstrated that high RS participants were more likely to report experiencing race-based post-traumatic stress symptoms than low RS participants (U = 2146, p < .001).

Conclusion: Results from this study provide insight into the role of RS in the psychological consequences of discriminatory encounters. We offer clinical implications for professionals treating Asian American clients by providing a preventative approach to minimize the long-term negative sequelae of discriminatory experiences. Screening for high RS may help identify those at higher risk for developing PTSD and allow for earlier intervention. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapies (DBT) techniques targeting RS may be beneficial in mitigating racial trauma symptoms through reframing maladaptive interpretations, and enhancing emotional regulation and distress tolerance skills.