DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/R7VZ-C541
Defense Date
2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Terri Sullivan
Second Advisor
Dr. Fantasy Lozada
Abstract
Community violence continues to be an ongoing public health crisis, driven by structural inequities and systemic disinvestment. Due to historical discriminatory policies and ongoing systemic barriers, Black adolescents are disproportionately affected, placing them at heightened risk for adverse mental health outcomes, particularly post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and depressive symptoms. While existing literature highlights racial identity as a promotive factor linked to a lower likelihood of negative health outcomes, less is known about its protective role in buffering the mental health effects of adversity. There is an increasing call for public health researchers to consider racial-ethnic factors as potential moderators in mitigating health disparities associated with adversities experienced in childhood; however, empirical work in this area remains limited. The present study examines a sample of Black adolescents (n = 221; ages 12–17) living in under-resourced urban communities with high levels of community violence in the Southeastern United States. Using hierarchical regression analyses, this study aims to: (a) investigate the association between exposure to community violence (ECV) and both PTSS and depressive symptoms, and (b) extend the racial identity literature by exploring the moderating effects of racial identity dimensions—racial centrality, private regard, and public regard—on the relation between ECV and internalizing symptoms. Findings from this study will contribute to a deeper understanding of the protective role of racial identity in the context of systemic adversity.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
5-1-2025