Causes of Racial Stress and Trauma. An Overview of Dr. Shelly Harrellā€™s Model of Racism-Related Stress

antiracism impact microaggressions race-related stress racism Dec 04, 2023

Often people do not realise the impact of racism on ethnic minorities. Dr Shelly Harrell is a psychologist and a Research Coordinator at Pepperdine University in the USA; she developed the Model of Racism-Related Stress.

 

This groundbreaking model details the dynamics of race-related stress and its impact on individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds. The model highlights several key factors that frequently contribute to the experience of race-related stress injuries, shedding light on the discomfort, pain and distress racially marginalised people experience regularly.

The following are the 6 causes of race-related stress and trauma.

 

  1. **Race-Related Life Events:**

   Race-related life events encompass direct and indirect forms of racism that individuals encounter. These events are characterised by instances such as derogatory slurs ('N' or 'P' words) hurled at them or even physical attacks based solely on their skin colour. These confrontations are stark reminders of the persisting racial prejudices in society and can leave lasting emotional scars.

 

  1. **Vicarious Racism:**

   Vicarious racism, a form of indirect exposure to racial discrimination, that can be equally as distressing. Illustrative examples of this include a student hearing about the brutalities of slavery during an academic lecture, a black person seeing the video of the murder of George Floyd on social media or a Palestinian or Israeli being exposed to office ‘banter’ about the current conflict. Even though it may not be a personal experience, the emotional impact of such narratives can be deeply hurtful on a visceral level.

 

  1. **Daily Racist Micro-Stressors (Microaggressions):**

   The term "microaggressions" is a contemporary label for the daily racist micro-stressors that ethnic minorities often face. These subtle yet persistent forms of discrimination manifest in various ways. For instance, it includes the unreasonable expectation that all Latin Americans are ‘feisty’ or that all Gypsy Roma Travellers are criminals. These unconscious beliefs are revealed through actions or words, often unbeknownst to the initiator.

 

  1. **Chronic Contextual Stressors:**

   Chronic contextual stressors arise from the mere awareness of systemic racism and the uneven distribution of resources in the world. This awareness can be particularly evident when ethnic minorities enter the workforce, finding a noticeable absence of leaders who share their racial background or in a university context, encountering textbooks that either inadequately represent or entirely leave out positive depictions of their heritage.

 

  1. **Collective Experiences of Racism:**

   Witnessing ongoing racial discrimination against one's own racial or ethnic group is another aspect of race-related stress. For instance, observing the tragic occurrences of black individuals being subjected to violence at the hands of law enforcement in both the United States and the United Kingdom serves as a painful reminder of the persistent racial inequities that exist.

 

  1. **Transgenerational Transmission of Group Trauma:**

   Dr. Harrell's model also acknowledges the intergenerational transfer of group trauma. This phenomenon occurs when individuals inherit and carry with them the historical wounds inflicted by past racial atrocities. It becomes very real and almost tangible when elders within a family recount their personal experiences of racism, thereby perpetuating the memory and impact of these traumas across generations.

 

In summary, Dr. Shelly Harrell's Model of Race-Related Stress provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the intricate web of factors contributing to the experience of race-related stress injuries among ethnic minorities. This model invites us to delve deeper into the complex dynamics of racism's enduring effects on individuals and communities, ultimately guiding efforts towards greater empathy, understanding, and healing.

Headings taken from: Harrell, S. P. (2000). A multidimensional conceptualization of racism-related stress: Implications for the well-being of people of color. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 70(1), 42–57. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0087722

 Visit Dr Shelly Harrell's website.

Talking about racism can seem difficult and uncomfortable. This CPD accredited course provides a foundational education on racism to help to increase racial literacy which includes building confidence to speak about and deal with issues concerning race. It provides a language through which meaningful conversation can take place (particularly in the workplace).

Time to Talk about Race Online Course

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