Adverse Childhood Experiences and Psychological Distress in Black Men: The Role of Racial-Cultural Identity

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a well-documented predictor of poor health and psychological outcomes across the lifespan. However, limited studies have examined these associations exclusively within a sample of Black men, despite their disproportionate exposure to ACEs related to systemic racism, poverty, and community violence. The current study aims to examine the impact of racial-cultural identity, operationalized through African Self-Consciousness (ASC), on the relationship between ACEs and psychological distress among Black men. A total of 109 self-identified African/Black men ( M age = 27.4) were surveyed and completed measures of ACEs, psychological distress, and racial-cultural identity factors, including African Self-Consciousness (ASC). Results indicated that ACEs positively and significantly predicted psychological distress; ASC negatively and significantly predicted the Social Dysfunction subscale of psychological distress; ASC did not significantly moderate the relationship between ACEs and psychological distress; however, exploratory findings indicated that the moderating role of ASC in the association between ACEs and psychological distress varied by age. Future research and clinical implications are discussed.