The legacy of slavery represents an enduring trauma for many Black American individuals. The trauma associated with being enslaved may be passed down through successive generations via family’s oral histories, and these potentially traumatic family narratives may contribute to disproportionate rates of mental illness in these individuals. Experiences of discrimination may also prove traumatic for Black Americans, and this additional trauma may be compounded by poverty, poor physical health, and other maladaptive behaviors common among this population. This mixed-methods proposal seeks to gather in-depth information regarding intergenerational transmission of trauma associated with chattel slavery via cognitive interviews with Black Americans. This study will: (1) examine themes that arise when discussing family history of slavery; (2) consider how experiences of discrimination relate to discussions of slavery; and (3) test whether discussions of slavery are associated with psychological distress among Black Americans. Our hypothesis that traumatic experiences of chattel slavery may be transmitted through subsequent generations and contribute to the mental health or illness of descendants of enslaved people is supported by literature on intergenerational trauma. This project may facilitate further research on the biopsychosocial factors associated with intergenerational trauma and the resulting psychological distress common in the African American community. Through this process, we may ultimately begin to identify ways in which to help African American descendants of enslaved people optimally process their family’s history of slavery in a manner that minimizes its traumatic nature and consequent psychological suffering.

Depression is a common mental health issue among college students with a higher prevalence in Latinx students than in white student populations. Latinos are experiencing depression with a higher rate up to 22.3% compared to 11.8% of other low social-economic status (SES) non-Hispanic whites (Limon et al., 2016). This research aimed to explore what, if at all, are the coping mechanisms used by Latinx college students to help manage mental health, specifically, depression. This study focused on three domains: identity, social determinants, and stigma and its relationship to depression, to better understand depression among Latinx college students. There has been previous literature that has identified a resistance with coping mechanisms within Latinx communities and seeking help. Furthermore, this study found meaning of the rates of comping mechanisms from a qualitative perspective and has contributed to the existing literature that focuses on the population’s voices/experiences. It is crucial to give these marginalized communities the voice to speak on their personal experiences and what help looks like for them instead of letting societal norms tell them how to “fix” their depression. Therefore, through this qualitative study, six students were interviewed, and results showed how they were all resistant to seeking a formal mental health services, instead seeking support through friends, family and other substances. Three other consistent themes were found within the participants who speak on their experiences of how being first generation, containing marginalized identities, and how finances played a role when seeking help for depression.

Education plays a crucial part in molding a child's perception of the world; when African American females fail to see themselves in their history courses, how does this develop their perception of how they exist in the world? Studies have proven that within the standard U.S k-12 history curriculum, Black history is deficient within its textbooks. From little content available to students, lessons on African American women's contributions to U.S history are virtually non-existent. Currently, there is little to no research on the psychological effects that underrepresentation can have on African American females within their history courses. Through student surveys and examining multiple high school U.S history textbooks used in LA county, this study will review the information provided on black female history to prove the scarcity of black female representation. The proposed research hypothesis suggests that African American females who do not learn about African American female history will suffer from underrepresentation, which will negatively affect their self-esteem. This study seeks to understand the necessity of in-depth lessons in U.S history courses on the contributions of African American women because representation matters in adolescent self-esteem.

This exploratory study aims to identify historical methods and patterns of psychological violence in the California Juvenile Justice System and the influence that it has on immigrant detention centers today. The interdisciplinary and hybrid research conducted has identified paradigms between psychology and ethnic studies. The racial component to the analysis has shown findings consistent with the expectations and studies’ objectives. In the Whittier State School for Boys which was established in the early 1900s, the creation of stereotypes and racist biases towards Latinx youth were based solely on their intelligence. This put into question just how much rehabilitation the juvenile justice system could provide minority delinquents (Chávez-García, 31). Following these results and research findings, a certain level of segregation took place in the facility. This led to there being a successful level of rehabilitation for white students while Mexican youth were imprisoned in horrid conditions. This withholding of rehabilitation for minorities has impacted the progress and level of physical and psychological support that they have received throughout the years. Reports from the U.S. government have identified abuse and inadequate conditions for unaccompanied immigrant minors (UIM) in detention centers today (Todres, 2018). The psychological consequences of the separation and mistreatment are known to have lifelong ramifications with little to no support or resources. The continuation of this exploratory study aims to identify resources that can assist professionals better understand the circumstances and treatment that Latinx immigrant youth experience in detention centers and how these affect their socialization.