Future directions in studies of trauma among ethnoracial and sexual minority samples: commentary

Abstract

Objective: Studies examining psychological trauma or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in ethnoracial or sexual minority groups are relatively few. The Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology recently published 4 articles (Balsam, Lehavot, Beadnall, & Circo, 2010; Harrington, Crowther, & Shipherd, 2010; Lester, Resick, Young-Xu, & Artz, 2010; Marshall, Schell, & Miles, 2009) that examine trauma exposure and posttraumatic outcomes in ethnoracial and sexual minority samples. This commentary focuses on the overlap between traumatic stress and diversity studies in order to consider future areas in need of development.

Method: Within the framework of a generalized overview of current trends in the study of traumatic stress, an assessment of the strengths and limitations of these 4 articles is provided. Populations and syndromes covered by the articles include ethnoracial differences in child maltreatment and adverse mental health outcomes among sexual minority participants, PTSD symptom elevations among Hispanic Americans, binge eating and the strong Black woman schema, and retention of African American female participants in cognitive behavioral psychotherapy trials for PTSD.

Results: Recommendations to enhance culturally competent traumatic stress studies include increasing the examination of within-group cultural variability and key social, contextual, and cultural variables and constructs; examining the temporal sequencing of traumatic events and key transitions in sexual and ethnic minority identity development; and conducting prevention and treatment studies for those sexual minority children most at risk for maltreatment.

Conclusions: By following these recommendations, the next generation of studies of traumatic stress studies will be enhanced.