Group dynamics as a predictor of dissociation for Black victims of violence: An exploratory study of cultural betrayal trauma theory

Abstract

Violence victimization is prevalent in the US and is linked to costly mental health outcomes, including dissociation and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Black Americans are at increased risk for violence victimization, while additionally enduring racism that impacts mental health. Moreover, discrimination affects outcomes of violence. Cultural betrayal trauma theory (CBTT) is a new framework for examining the impact of within-group violence victimization (termed cultural betrayal trauma) and minority status on outcomes. Furthermore, CBTT examines posttraumatic group dynamics, such as (intra)cultural pressure. As pressure to protect the minority in-group by not disclosing cultural betrayal trauma, (intra)cultural pressure may impact outcomes. The purpose of the exploratory study was to examine the impact of cultural betrayal trauma and (intra)cultural pressure on dissociation and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Participants ( N = 43) were Black/African American university students who completed online measures assessing violence victimization and outcomes. Linear regression analyses revealed that cultural betrayal trauma predicted PTSS, whereas (intra)cultural pressure predicted dissociation. The current study has implications for examining the impact of group dynamics, such as (intra)cultural pressure, in clinical interventions for Black victims of cultural betrayal trauma. Such cultural competency in mental health care treatment may help reduce mental health disparities.

‘No One . . . Saves Black Girls’: Black University Women’s Understanding of Sexual Violence

“…In our fifth theme, participants noted that an additional barrier Black women face in help-seeking and reporting instances of sexual violence is that they have been traditionally excluded from conversations on this topic (Gómez, 2019a). Particularly at the university level, not having programs grounded in their experiences and lacking administrators and staff they can relate to, may cause Black women to distrust and doubt the reporting process.…”

“…In our third theme, participants disclosed that, with regard to intraracial violence, Black women may feel pressure to not disclose their trauma to protect their communities from other forms of injustice (e.g., police brutality, mass incarceration). Even though intraracial trauma can lead to negative mental health outcomes for Black women (Gómez, 2019a), the emphasis on protecting Black men in these instances leaves Black women as caretakers of their community (Collins, 2004;Washington, 2001). This may force Black women to shoulder their pain alone.…”

Does Gender Matter? An Exploratory Study of Cultural Betrayal Trauma and Hallucinations in Latino Undergraduates at a Predominantly White University

“…These data are part of a larger data collection on CBTT in ethnic minority populations ( N = 296; Gómez, 2016b); the current study includes only participants who identified as Latino to examine CBTT in this population specifically.…”

Gender, Campus Sexual Violence, Cultural Betrayal, Institutional Betrayal, and Institutional Support in U.S. Ethnic Minority College Students: A Descriptive Study

“…With the broader context of inequality in mind, cultural betrayal trauma theory (CBTT; Gómez, 2017Gómez, , 2019aGómez, , 2019bGómez, , 2019cGómez, , 2019dGómez & Freyd, 2018;Gómez & Gobin, 2020) is a framework used to examine the impact of within-group violence in marginalized populations. The basic premise of CBTT is that societal trauma, such as systemic discrimination, creates the need for (intra)cultural trust within marginalized groups.…”