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Holmes SC, Zare M, Haeny AM, Williams MT. Racial Stress, Racial Trauma, and Evidence-Based Strategies for Coping and Empowerment. Annu Rev Clin Psychol 2024; 20:77-95. [PMID: 38346289 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-081122-020235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Racial stress and racial trauma refer to psychological, physiological, and behavioral responses to race-based threats and discriminatory experiences. This article reviews the evidence base regarding techniques for coping with racial stress and trauma. These techniques include self-care, self-compassion, social support, mindfulness, cognitive restructuring, cognitive defusion, identity-affirming practices and development of racial/ethnic identity, expressive writing, social action and activism, and psychedelics. These strategies have shown the potential to mitigate psychological symptoms and foster a sense of empowerment among individuals affected by racial stress and trauma. While the ultimate goal should undoubtedly be to address the root cause of racism, it is imperative to acknowledge that until then, implementing these strategies can effectively provide much-needed support for individuals affected by racism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha C Holmes
- Department of Psychology, College of Staten Island, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA;
| | - Manzar Zare
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; ,
| | - Angela M Haeny
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA;
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Moreton SG, Barr NN, Giese KJ. Investigating the relationship between changes in metaphysical beliefs and death anxiety following a significant psychedelic experience. DEATH STUDIES 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38753981 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2024.2352726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Research examining the potential of the psychedelic experience to alter attitudes toward death is steadily emerging. However, the specific mechanisms leading to this change are not well understood. The present study investigated the potential relationship between changes in metaphysical beliefs and changes in death anxiety following a single significant psychedelic experience. A total of 155 participants completed a retrospective questionnaire that included questions about their acute experience and changes in death anxiety and metaphysical beliefs following a significant psychedelic experience. Although some participants reported an increase in death anxiety, there was an overall significant reduction in death anxiety from before to after the experience. Improvements in death anxiety were positively correlated with changes in belief in panpsychism, but no other measured metaphysical beliefs. The findings from this exploratory study provide direction for future research looking at the relationship between changes in metaphysical beliefs and death anxiety in the context of psychedelic experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam G Moreton
- Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Noah N Barr
- Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Kayla J Giese
- Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
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Feng R, Ching THW, Bartlett AC, La Torre JT, Williams MT. Healing Words: Effects of Psychoeducation on Likelihood to Seek and Refer Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Among BIPOC Individuals. J Psychoactive Drugs 2023:1-13. [PMID: 37652035 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2023.2253535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) is gaining renewed interest as a treatment for various mental disorders. However, there has been limited Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) representation in PAP clinical trials, signaling the need for culturally consonant communication about the efficacy and safety of PAP. We randomly assigned 321 BIPOC and 301 non-Hispanic White participants to four different modes of psychoeducation (didactic, visual, narrative, hope-based) and tested effects on likelihood of seeking and referring others to PAP using ANCOVAS. The influences of different psychoeducation components on these likelihoods were also tested using hierarchical regression modeling. Regardless of psychoeducation mode, BIPOC participants were more likely to seek PAP than non-Hispanic White participants after psychoeducation. Further, information on physical safety and success rate of PAP uniquely predicted BIPOC participants' likelihood of seeking and referring others to PAP after psychoeducation. Our findings suggest that once provided psychoeducation, BIPOC participants are receptive to seeking or referring others to PAP. BIPOC participants also appear to prioritize physical safety and rate of success of PAP in these decisions. Stigma against PAP is likely not the primary barrier to recruitment of BIPOC individuals into PAP trials. Instead, researchers should conduct more psychoeducational outreach to diversify future trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Feng
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Terence H W Ching
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Amy C Bartlett
- Department of Religious Studies, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Joseph T La Torre
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Monnica T Williams
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Jones G, Al-Suwaidi M, Castro-Ramirez F, McGuire TC, Mair P, Nock MK. Race and ethnicity moderate the associations between lifetime psilocybin use and crime arrests. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1169692. [PMID: 37692301 PMCID: PMC10484513 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1169692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Psilocybin use has been linked to lowered odds of crime-related outcomes across a host of observational studies. No studies have investigated how these associations may differ among those of different races and ethnicities. Methods Using a nationally-representative sample of 734,061 adults from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2002-2020), we investigated whether race and ethnicity moderate the associations between lifetime psilocybin use and four measures of crime arrests (property crime, assault, serious violence, and miscellaneous crimes). Results First, we replicated prior findings and demonstrated that psilocybin confers lowered odds of crime arrests for all four outcomes in question. Second, we demonstrated that race and ethnicity moderate the associations between lifetime psilocybin use and crime arrests for three of our four outcomes. Third, we examined the associations between psilocybin and crime arrests across different races and ethnicities (White, Black, Indigenous, Asian, Multiracial, and Hispanic participants). Psilocybin conferred lowered odds of at least one crime arrest outcome for all racial and ethnic groups except for Black and Hispanic participants. Discussion Future investigations should take an intersectional approach to studying the interrelationship of sociodemographic factors, psychedelic use, and crime, examine the structural factors (i.e., systemic racism) that may underlie these results, and investigate whether psychedelics can alleviate mental health disorders that contribute to cycles of recriminalization for communities of color.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant Jones
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Maha Al-Suwaidi
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | | | - Taylor C. McGuire
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Patrick Mair
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Matthew K. Nock
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
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Williams M, Osman M, Hyon C. Understanding the Psychological Impact of Oppression Using the Trauma Symptoms of Discrimination Scale. CHRONIC STRESS (THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF.) 2023; 7:24705470221149511. [PMID: 36683843 PMCID: PMC9850126 DOI: 10.1177/24705470221149511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Oppression refers to systemic discrimination where the injustice targets or disproportionately impacts specific groups of people. The Trauma Symptoms of Discrimination Scale (TSDS) is a self-report measure designed to assess the traumatizing impact of discrimination broadly by measuring anxiety-related symptoms of trauma due to discriminatory experiences. This may include symptoms arising from racism, homophobia, sexism, poverty, or other forms of marginalization. Almost all studies of the TSDS have examined its use in marginalized ethnoracial groups, primarily African Americans. This paper will extend prior work to help us better understand racial trauma across groups by reporting and comparing TSDS mean scores across ethnoracial identities in a diverse national sample (n = 923). It also explores trauma with other marginalized identities and demographic dimensions, including gender, sexual minority/LGBQ status, education, and income. The relationship of TSDS scores to clinical psychopathologies are examined, including stress, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. We also examine the unique risks associated with intersectionality, and how having multiple marginalized identities may increase traumatization. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monnica Williams
- School of Psychology, University of
Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine,
University of
Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Muna Osman
- School of Psychology, University of
Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada,Monnica T. Williams, PhD, University of
Ottawa, School of Psychology, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Vanier Hall, Ottawa,
Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Chrysalis Hyon
- Department of East West Psychology,
California
Institute of Integral Studies, San
Francisco, California, USA
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Stauffer CS, Brown MR, Adams D, Cassity M, Sevelius J. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy; Inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in the frontiers of PTSD treatment trials. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:932605. [PMID: 36299539 PMCID: PMC9589439 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.932605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people experience stigma, discrimination, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at higher rates compared to the general population; however, TGD people have been underrepresented in PTSD research. Clinical trials of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy demonstrate promising safety and efficacy for the treatment of PTSD. Issues related to equitable access, power imbalances in the therapeutic relationship, and vulnerable states of consciousness occasioned by MDMA are magnified when working with people affected by structural vulnerabilities and health disparities, and community engagement in research planning and implementation is essential. To inform the inclusion and safety of TGD people in future MDMA-assisted psychotherapy research, the aims of the current study were to: characterize TGD experiences with trauma-related mental health care, assess openness of TGD people to participate in experimental PTSD research, and to gather specific feedback on protocol design for conducting MDMA-assisted psychotherapy with TGD people. Materials and methods We conducted three virtual focus group discussions (FGDs) with 5-6 participants each (N = 17). Eligible TGD participants had a history of receiving trauma-related mental health care. Each FGD was facilitated by two licensed clinicians who identified as TGD. Qualitative data analysis was conducted via an iterative process of identification of recurrent patterns and themes. Results We have identified several key issues TGD people face when seeking and engaging in trauma-related mental health care, including barriers to receiving adequate gender-affirming and trauma-informed mental health care and frustration with providers lacking cultural humility. Suggested amendments to MDMA-assisted psychotherapy protocols include: routine collection of trans-inclusive gender identity data, implementing an explicit gender-affirming treatment approach, ensuring a culturally safe setting, and diversifying co-therapy dyads. Discussion The inclusion of TGD voices in early conversations about emerging experimental PTSD interventions promotes equitable access, in the context of health and healthcare disparities, and helps researchers understand the needs of the community and tailor research to meet those needs. Through an ongoing conversation with the TGD community, we aim to incorporate a gender-affirming approach into existing research protocols and inform future applications of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in addressing the effects of minority stress and boosting resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher S Stauffer
- Social Neuroscience and Psychotherapy Lab, Oregon Health and Science Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Portland, OR, United States
- Portland VA Health Care System, Department of Mental Health, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Melanie R Brown
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health and Science University-Portland State University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Dee Adams
- Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Department of Epidemiology, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Marca Cassity
- Social Neuroscience and Psychotherapy Lab, Oregon Health and Science Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Portland, OR, United States
- Portland VA Health Care System, Department of Mental Health, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Jae Sevelius
- Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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