Academic Toll of Online Racial Trauma Exposure on College Students

This project is titled "Examining the Impact of Vicarious Exposure to Racial Trauma Online on Academic Functioning in Emerging Adulthood: A Mixed-Method Approach." The research team is examining the negative effects of vicarious exposure to racially traumatic content (RTC) on the academic functioning of emerging adult students in the United States, as well as buffering roles of developmental assets like racial-ethnic identity and socialization in these effects. By examining instances of police brutality, experiences of discrimination, and exposure to war-related events, the study aims to shed light on the nuanced interactions between exposure to RTC and various facets of students’ academic well-being. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research will utilize close-ended surveys, open-ended questionnaires, and daily diaries. 

The sample includes individuals aged 18 to 29, who identify as members of racially/ethnically minoritized groups and are currently enrolled as undergraduate students in four-year universities. Through this study, we aim to gain deeper insights into how exposure to RTC academic outcomes among emerging adult students and the protective role of racial-ethnic identity and socialization, with implications for educational policies and interventions aimed at promoting equity and social justice in higher education.

Read the press release.