The Impact of Multidimensional Forms of Online Racism on Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms: Do Racial Identity Beliefs Buffer This Relationship?

Objective: The study aimed to identify distinct profiles of online racial discrimination (ORD) and exposure to race-related traumatic events online (TEO) among Black and Latine youth, explore if these profiles would be related to posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and examine how racial identity (RI) beliefs may mitigate the impact of these experiences on PTSS. Method: Utilizing data from 769 Black and Latine youth aged 11 to 19, collected via a longitudinal online survey, measures included ORD, TEO, RI (racial centrality, private regard, and public regard), and PTSS. Results: Latent profile analysis revealed four profiles of ORD and TEO exposure: (1) low overall exposures (46%), (2) low direct-high indirect exposures (34%), (3) moderate direct-high indirect exposures (15%), and (4) high overall exposures (15%). Youth in profiles characterized by more frequent exposures to various forms of online racism reported greater PTSS, while those in profiles with fewer exposures reported fewer symptoms. Private regard beliefs moderated the association between online racism profiles and PTSS, particularly for youth with fewer exposures to online racism. Conclusion: These findings are among the first to illustrate the varied experiences of online racism among Black and Latine youth and the first to support that RI beliefs, particularly private regard beliefs, may serve as a protective factor against the adverse effects of online racism on PTSS, particularly for those with lower exposure levels. This has the potential to influence practice and policy interventions aimed at treating and addressing PTSS among Black and Latine youth.