Citation

Gómez JM. J. Am. Coll. Health 2017; 65(6): 432-436.

Affiliation

University of Oregon, Journal of American College Health.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2017.1341896

PMID

28617143

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Interpersonal trauma has deleterious effects on mental health (1) , with college students experiencing relatively high rates of lifetime trauma (2). Asian American/Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) have the lowest rate of mental health care utilization (4). According to cultural betrayal trauma theory (CBTT) (9, 10, 11) , societal inequality may impact within-group violence in minority populations, thus having implications for mental health. In the current exploratory study, between-group (interracial) and within-group (ethno-cultural betrayal) trauma and mental health outcomes were examined in AAPI college students. PARTICIPANTS: Participants (N = 108) were AAPI college students from a predominantly white university. Data collection concluded December 2015.

METHODS: Participants completed online self-report measures.

RESULTS: A MANOVA revealed that when controlling for interracial trauma, ethno-cultural betrayal trauma significantly impacted dissociation, hallucinations, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and hypervigilance.

CONCLUSIONS: The results have implications for incorporating identity, discrimination, and ethno-cultural betrayal trauma victimization into assessments and case conceptualizations in therapy.

Language: en