Healing from Sexual Trauma Among Black Women: Impact of Gendered Racial Microaggressions and Post-Traumatic Stress

This study seeks to address gaps in research and clinical understanding of Black women survivorship by prioritizing an intersectional, nuanced perspective of sexual assault. Grounded in a Black feminist framework, we investigate the complex interplay between gendered racial microaggressions, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and perceptions of healing among 98 Black women across the U.S. who have experienced sexual trauma. Results indicated that, overall, experiences of gendered racism were positively correlated with, but not predictive of, PTSD symptoms. However, microaggressions specifically related to Beauty and Sexual Objectification significantly predicted PTSD symptom severity, and impeded healing through elevated negative changes to cognition and mood. These findings further contextualize the healing processes of Black women survivors, highlighting the role of gendered racism, and calling attention to the necessity for clinicians to integrate a Black feminist approach to trauma treatment.