Addressing the impact of racism on veterans of color: A race-based stress and trauma intervention.

Abstract

Objective: Veterans of color represent a unique intersection of individuals at risk of experiencing racialized discrimination during their military service and of developing negative mental health outcomes. At the same time, there has been little guidance for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health-care providers in how to address these clinical issues in a culturally competent manner. This article describes a group-based intervention targeting race-based stress and trauma among veterans implemented at 4 different sites. Method: The authors describe the development and application of this intervention, including information about development of the group and general aims as well as the process of implementing the group across settings. Results: The authors address broad factors to consider when implementing the group, including navigating diversity dimensions within the group and addressing provider cultural competence and identity. Finally, the authors review recommendations for future directions for implementing the group within and outside of a VA setting, seeking institutional support for the group, and developing measures to assess the efficacy of the group. Conclusions: The intervention described in this article has the potential to serve as a model for development of similar interventions both within VA health-care centers and non-VA health-care settings.

Cumulative Disadvantage and Disparities in Depression and Pain Among Veterans With Osteoarthritis: The Role of Perceived Discrimination

“…Some research suggests that factors such as social support, healthy coping skills, and mindfulness buffer the negative health effects of discrimination (16). Interventions that target some or all of these components may have a positive impact on health outcomes among individuals from various socially disadvantaged groups (47).…”

“…Some research suggests that factors such as social support, healthy coping skills, and mindfulness buffer the negative health effects of discrimination (16). Interventions that target some or all of these components may have a positive impact on health outcomes among individuals from various socially disadvantaged groups (47). Notably, we assessed perceived discrimination using a measure that was not specific to the health care setting; thus, one should not assume that all the reported experiences occurred in the context of health care obtained from the VHA or in any other health care setting.…”

Mechanisms of Black–White disparities in health among older adults: Examining discrimination and personality

“…Research suggests that social support, healthy racial identity, and effective coping with discrimination-related stress can reduce its impact on negative outcomes (Carlson et al, 2018; Wang et al, 2015), likely by influencing intermediate factors such as personality traits (Jackson et al, 2019). Providing evidence-based group interventions that focus on ameliorating negative consequences of discrimination through social support, reducing internalized racism, and increasing effective emotion-coping may be particularly beneficial for promoting health equity (Carlson et al, 2018; Hudson et al, 2016). In addition, healthcare providers will be able to more effectively treat individuals who experience discrimination by addressing mistrust through improved cultural competence training and provider–patient communication.…”

Couple‐based interventions for PTSD among military veterans: An empirical review

“…It is possible that key differences in the severity and presentation of PTSD symptoms exist in these subgroups. Thus, researchers might consider the role of stressors that are unique to these underrepresented groups, such as the impact of racial discrimination on PTSD symptoms and relationship outcomes among minority SM/Vs in couple‐based therapy (Carlson, Endlsey, Motley, Shawahin, & Williams, ). Additionally, one study found sex differences among SM/Vs experience of PTSD symptoms, such that female SM/Vs experienced hyperarousal symptoms as the most functionally impairing symptom of PTSD, whereas male SM/Vs reported the greatest functional impairment with negative alterations in cognition/mood (Meyer et al, ).…”

“…It is possible that key differences in the severity and presentation of PTSD symptoms exist in these subgroups. Thus, researchers might consider the role of stressors that are unique to these underrepresented groups, such as the impact of racial discrimination on PTSD symptoms and relationship outcomes among minority SM/Vs in couple-based therapy (Carlson, Endlsey, Motley, Shawahin, & Williams, 2018).…”