Racism-Based Traumatic Stress Symptoms and Risk for Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among Black and Latine Adolescents

Objective: The present study examined the role of racism-based traumatic stress (RBTS) symptoms (i.e., traumatic stress reactions in direct response to experiences of racial discrimination) and suicide-related risk in a national sample of U.S. Black and Latine adolescents. Method: Study participants were recruited from an online survey panel (N = 559), self-identified as Black (54.7%) and/or Latine (45.3%), and were between 12 and 17 years old (M = 14.54, SD = 1.64). Logistic regression analyses were used to test the association between RBTS symptoms and past-year suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts, accounting for conventional and racism-based potentially traumatic exposures (PTEs) and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Results: Findings suggest that adolescents with higher levels of RBTS symptoms were at elevated risk for past-year suicide attempts, adjusted odds ratio [confidence intervals] = 1.54, 95% CI [1.02, 2.31], p =.04, above and beyond reported levels of PTEs, racism-based potentially traumatic exposures, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. This association was not observed with past-year suicidal ideation, adjusted odds ratio = 1.30, 95% CI [0.92, 1.84], p =.14, or past-year suicide plans, adjusted odds ratio = 1.07, 95% CI [0.72, 1.61], p =.73. Conclusion: RBTS symptoms may be relevant in identifying suicide-related risk, particularly suicide attempts, among Black and Latine adolescents. While these findings provide insights into the relationship between RBTS and suicide-related risk, the cross-sectional design limits causal inference, and the use of a convenience sample may limit generalizability to the broader Black and Latine populations. Tailored interventions that address the nuanced effects of racial trauma on suicide risk are needed among youth of color.