(PS6-93) Acceptability of a Dialectical-behavioral Therapy Adapted Intervention for Racial Trauma

Abstract Text: People of color (POC) face significant impact from racial discrimination which can lead to higher rates of depression, anxiety, financial disparities, and a decreased quality of life. The cumulative effects of discrimination can manifest as race-based traumatic stress (RBTS) or racial trauma. Scholars have drawn parallels between racial trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, including hypervigilance, avoidance, depression, anxiety, and emotion dysregulation. The unpredictable nature of racial discrimination makes it difficult for existing interventions to fully address its complexities. Additionally, such interventions may overlook the nuanced aspects of racialized interactions, unintentionally placing the burden on the victim rather than the perpetrator.
This study explores the acceptability of a dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) intervention for racial trauma. Given DBT’s transdiagnostic approach, emphasizing emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness, we hypothesized that it would be a suitable treatment for individuals affected by racial discrimination. Participants included POC community members and students from a western university, the majority being female (83%), Latine (75%), and Spanish speaking (58%). Participants were between 18-54 years of age (M=34.8, SD=11.5). Participants received 12-14 weekly psychotherapy sessions, each lasting 60 minutes. Five participants who completed the program participated in a semi-structured interview. Reflexive thematic analysis, a qualitative method that incorporates the researcher’s lived experience, was used to code the data and identify themes.
Most participants found the treatment acceptable and applicable to situations beyond racial discrimination. They reported greater insight into how racial discrimination affected their emotional well-being and developed strategies to manage its impact more effectively. However, some participants felt that the treatment was too brief, limiting their ability to fully explore the complexities of racism. These findings suggest that DBT for racial trauma is a promising intervention for POC experiencing RBTS. Despite extensive research on the psychological consequences of racism, few interventions directly address this pervasive issue. As some participants noted, while racism is a systemic problem, interventions like this can equip individuals with tools to mitigate its impact.
Future directions include scaling up this DBT-adapted racial trauma intervention to evaluate its efficacy in a more representative sample. This study aligns with the conference theme by examining the dissemination of a novel, evidence-based adapted intervention designed to bridge the gap in mental health care for people of color – who are underrepresented in clinical research – by addressing the impact of systemic racism through inclusive and affirming therapeutic approaches.