Understanding the Psychological Impact of Oppression Using the Trauma Symptoms of Discrimination Scale

Monnica Williams; Muna Osman; Chrysalis Hyon

doi:10.1177/24705470221149511

journal article Open Access Jan 01, 2023

Understanding the Psychological Impact of Oppression Using the Trauma Symptoms of Discrimination Scale

Monnica Williams Muna Osman

Chrysalis Hyon

Chronic Stress Vol. 7 · SAGE Publications

View at Publisher Save 10.1177/24705470221149511

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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Details

Published: Jan 01, 2023
Vol/Issue: 7
License: View

Authors

M

Monnica Williams

School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

M

Muna Osman

School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

C

Chrysalis Hyon

Department of East West Psychology, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, California, USA

Funding

Canada Research Chairs Program, Canadian Institutes of Health Research Award: 950-232127

Cite This Article

Monnica Williams, Muna Osman, Chrysalis Hyon (2023). Understanding the Psychological Impact of Oppression Using the Trauma Symptoms of Discrimination Scale. Chronic Stress, 7. https://doi.org/10.1177/24705470221149511

Understanding the Psychological Impact of Oppression Using the Trauma Symptoms of Discrimination Scale

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