Racial Microaggressions Mediate the Association Between Posttraumatic Stress and Alcohol Use Among Women of Color Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

Objective: Women of Color (WoC) experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) have elevated rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use and related harm (e.g., increased alcohol use and negative consequences). This secondary data analysis assessed the role of racial microaggressions in the association between PTSD and alcohol use and related harm among WoC experiencing IPV. Methods: Participants were 103 WoC currently experiencing IPV and using substances (M_age=40.39, 51.5% Black) who were recruited from the community and completed assessments of PTSD, racial microaggressions, and alcohol use and related harm. Results: Assumptions of Inferiority (e.g., intelligence; B = 1.44, SE = 0.90, 95% CI [0.10, 3.54]) and Environmental Microaggressions (e.g., portrayal in media; B = 1.88, SE = 1.03, 95% CI [0.28, 4.30]) explained the association between PTSD and alcohol use and related harm. Conclusions: Findings underscore the influence of specific microaggressions in the relation between PTSD and alcohol use and related harm among WoC experiencing IPV.

Keywords:

• PTSD
• IPV
• racial microaggressions
• alcohol
• Women of Color

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Analyses were re-ran using the dichotomous AUDIT variable (probable AUD versus no AUD). The strength and direction of findings did not change.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse Grant [K23DA039327], awarded to Nicole H. Weiss. Work on this paper by Silvi C. Goldstein was supported by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Grant [F31AA029274]. Work on this paper by Shannon R. Forkus was supported by National Institute on Drug Abuse Grant [F31DA051167]. Work on this paper by Emmanuel D. Thomas was supported by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Grant [F31AA030502].