Psychology
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Black students at predominantly White institutions (PWIs) contend with racial microaggressions that can lead to negative mental health and academic outcomes. The physical and mental health consequences of the novel coronavirus pandemic are well-known. What remains unknown is how targeted racial hate during a pandemic might have a compounded effect on Black essential workers. The current study examines how future essential workers in helping professions cope with dual crises as they navigate mostly White universities. Study participants were Black university students attending PWIs in the United States enrolled in social work, public health, or psychology programs during the 2020–2021 academic year. Participants completed an online survey that measured racial microaggressions, COVID distress, sense of belonging, engagement in activism, and well-being. Hierarchical regression models revealed COVID distress predicted poorer well-being. Also, COVID distress interacted with racial microaggressions to predict well-being. Findings have implications for developing decolonized learning communities with a liberation pedagogy in community psychology and other helping professions.
Publication Title
American Journal of Community Psychology
Publication Date
3-2024
Volume
73
Issue
1-2
First Page
66
Last Page
77
ISSN
0091-0562
DOI
10.1002/ajcp.12668
Keywords
antiracism, Black college students, COVID-19, political activism, racial microaggressions
Repository Citation
Francois, Samantha; Blakey, Joan; Stevenson, Rae; Walker, Timothy; and Davis, Curtis, "Navigating COVID-19 and racial trauma as a Black student at predominantly White institutions" (2024). Psychology. 902.
https://commons.clarku.edu/faculty_psychology/902
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Copyright Conditions
Publisher source must be acknowledged with citation: Francois, S., Blakey, J., Stevenson, R., Walker, T., & Davis Jr, C. (2024). Navigating COVID‐19 and racial trauma as a Black student at predominantly White institutions. American Journal of Community Psychology, 73(1-2), 66-77.