THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MICROAGGRESSIONS, RACE-BASED TRAUMATIC STRESS, AND POSTTRAUMATIC GROWTH: ASSESSING THE MODERATING ROLE OF CHRISTIAN GRATITUDE FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN CHRISTIANS

Date

2023

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Abstract

In the current study, the author sought to understand the relationships between Christian gratitude (CG) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) following racial and ethnic microaggressions (REM) and race-based traumatic stress (RBTS) in a sample of self- identified Black American Christians living in the United States (N = 157). More specifically, using a moderated mediation analysis, the researcher explored the mediating role of RBTS in explaining the link between REM and PTG, using CG as a moderator between RBTS and PTG. The findings showed a positive association between REM and PTG (a medium effect). Further, a positive association appeared between REM and RBTS and RBTS and PTG (both medium effects). Finally, inconsistent with the proposed hypothesis, the index of moderated mediation was not significant. In other words, CG did not moderate the relationship between RBTS and PTG. Post-hoc mediation-only analysis revealed that RBTS was a significant mediator of the association between REM and PTG. The author examines the therapeutic implications of the findings as well as potential directions for future research.

Description

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Psychology

Keywords

Clinical Psychology, African American Studies

Citation

DOI