The Relationship Between Microaggressions, Race-Based Traumatic Stress, and Posttraumatic Growth: Assessing the Moderating Role of Christian Gratitude for African American Christians

Abstract

In the current study, the authors sought to understand the relationships between Christian gratitude (CG) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) following racial and ethnic microaggressions (REMs) and race-based traumatic stress (RBTS) in a sample of Black Christians in the United States ( N = 157). Using a moderated mediation analysis, the researchers explored the mediating role of RBTS in the link between REM and PTG, using CG as a moderator between RBTS and PTG. Findings showed a positive association between REM and PTG (a medium effect). Furthermore, a positive association appeared between REM and RBTS, and RBTS and PTG (both medium effects). Finally, inconsistent with the proposed hypothesis, the index of moderated mediation was not significant. In other words, CG showed no significant interactive relationship with RBTS for moderation between RBTS and PTG. The authors examine the therapeutic implications of the findings as well as potential directions for future research.