Racial Trauma in the Lives of Black Children and Adolescents: Challenges and Clinical Implications

Abstract

Despite continued efforts, racial trauma receives limited clinical attention within the field of psychology and social sciences. Consequently, racial trauma in the lives of Black children and adolescents is rarely, if ever, acknowledged by researchers, scholars, and practitioners. Schools, a common context for Black youths, are a consistent source of individual and systemic experiences of racism for Black youths. The authors use a developmental perspective to discuss the assessment and treatment of Black children and adolescents who inevitably experience racial trauma in their lives. The complexity of racial trauma is illustrated using case examples. Providers are encouraged to recognize the importance of assessment models and treatment interventions that incorporate the racial experiences of Black youths as an essential component of treatment.

Keywords:

• adolescent
• children
• clinical issues
• mental health
• race/ethnicity
• trauma