Historical and Race-Based Trauma: Resilience Through Family and Community

Abstract

Historical and race-based trauma (HRBT) is a cross-cutting, intergenerational source of adversity that rarely is included in categories of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Unlike ACEs, HRBT is adversity that is embedded intersubjectively in family, kinship networks, and community as well as in society; that is, its negative impacts are systemic, as are the intergenerational resilience strategies families and communities develop to counter trauma. Racial socialization is one such strategy used to build resilience and coping skills necessary to thrive in a culture of implicit and explicit racism, and when reconceptualized as a systemic process, also contributes to effective resistance against institutional racism. Articles in this special issue illustrate the importance of positive parenting practices, family dynamics, kinship networks, community, and Indigenous Theory through the narrative voices of formerly incarcerated women, refugees, immigrants, Indigenous people, and first-generation Latinx students.

Examining the Generational Intersection of Interpersonal, Cultural, and Institutional Betrayal in Flint, Michigan

“…Their focus on education, equity, and inclusive community-building really highlights a belief in Flint's potential for renewal despite any injustices the community has faced. This pattern aligns with research on resilience processes throughout the life course, where individuals develop adaptive strategies that can promote resilient outcomes through both risk producing and protective experiences (Fitzgerald et al 2021).…”

Examining the Generational Intersection of Interpersonal, Cultural, and Institutional Betrayal in Flint, Michigan

“…Their focus on education, equity, and inclusive community-building really highlights a belief in Flint's potential for renewal despite any injustices the community has faced. This pattern aligns with research on resilience processes throughout the life course, where individuals develop adaptive strategies that can promote resilient outcomes through both risk producing and protective experiences (Fitzgerald et al 2021).…”

Family stress model and parenting in infancy: Social support and parenting self-efficacy as resilience factors.

“…Last, to deepen our understanding of resilience within the FSM, more research is needed to explore the compensatory and buffering effects of other factors at family, community, and culture levels, such as parent positivity/optimism, neighborhood cohesion, and cultural values and beliefs (Canfield et al, 2022; Fitzgerald et al, 2021; Kochanska et al, 2007; Taylor et al, 2012; White et al, 2015). Moreover, because data collection on child outcomes is ongoing, we were not able to include those data in this study.…”

Experiences of racism and race-based traumatic stress symptoms among people of Chinese heritage in Canada: The moderating role of resilience.

“…Theories and empirical research suggest that collective resilience can act as a protective factor against poor mental health (Xiong et al, 2021). It is because collective resilience frames racism as a shared experience, enabling individuals to resist it through community support and draw strength, unity, and a sense of belonging from their community (Fitzgerald et al, 2021; Kirmayer et al, 2009; Xiong et al, 2021).…”

Examining the Generational Intersection of Interpersonal, Cultural, and Institutional Betrayal in Flint, Michigan

“…Their focus on education, equity, and inclusive community-building really highlights a belief in Flint's potential for renewal despite any injustices the community has faced. This pattern aligns with research on resilience processes throughout the life course, where individuals develop adaptive strategies that can promote resilient outcomes through both risk producing and protective experiences (Fitzgerald et al 2021).…”

Family stress model and parenting in infancy: Social support and parenting self-efficacy as resilience factors.

“…Last, to deepen our understanding of resilience within the FSM, more research is needed to explore the compensatory and buffering effects of other factors at family, community, and culture levels, such as parent positivity/optimism, neighborhood cohesion, and cultural values and beliefs (Canfield et al, 2022; Fitzgerald et al, 2021; Kochanska et al, 2007; Taylor et al, 2012; White et al, 2015). Moreover, because data collection on child outcomes is ongoing, we were not able to include those data in this study.…”

Experiences of racism and race-based traumatic stress symptoms among people of Chinese heritage in Canada: The moderating role of resilience.

“…Theories and empirical research suggest that collective resilience can act as a protective factor against poor mental health (Xiong et al, 2021). It is because collective resilience frames racism as a shared experience, enabling individuals to resist it through community support and draw strength, unity, and a sense of belonging from their community (Fitzgerald et al, 2021; Kirmayer et al, 2009; Xiong et al, 2021).…”

Examining the Generational Intersection of Interpersonal, Cultural, and Institutional Betrayal in Flint, Michigan

“…Their focus on education, equity, and inclusive community-building really highlights a belief in Flint's potential for renewal despite any injustices the community has faced. This pattern aligns with research on resilience processes throughout the life course, where individuals develop adaptive strategies that can promote resilient outcomes through both risk producing and protective experiences (Fitzgerald et al 2021).…”

Family stress model and parenting in infancy: Social support and parenting self-efficacy as resilience factors.

“…Last, to deepen our understanding of resilience within the FSM, more research is needed to explore the compensatory and buffering effects of other factors at family, community, and culture levels, such as parent positivity/optimism, neighborhood cohesion, and cultural values and beliefs (Canfield et al, 2022; Fitzgerald et al, 2021; Kochanska et al, 2007; Taylor et al, 2012; White et al, 2015). Moreover, because data collection on child outcomes is ongoing, we were not able to include those data in this study.…”

Experiences of racism and race-based traumatic stress symptoms among people of Chinese heritage in Canada: The moderating role of resilience.

“…Theories and empirical research suggest that collective resilience can act as a protective factor against poor mental health (Xiong et al, 2021). It is because collective resilience frames racism as a shared experience, enabling individuals to resist it through community support and draw strength, unity, and a sense of belonging from their community (Fitzgerald et al, 2021; Kirmayer et al, 2009; Xiong et al, 2021).…”