What You Should Know About Trauma’s Impact on African American College Students - And, importantly,

Above: Students at a Sisters United’s general body meeting prepare for an icebreaker activity. Sisters United is a student-led organization that empowers black and brown women at Boston University. (Photo: Victoria Agbelese'17)

As a current BU master’s student in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and College Adviser with the BU chapter of the College Advising Corps, I am constantly thinking about my college-bound students and how they will bring their “full selves” to campuses in the fall. Many of my students, who are predominantly Black and/or African American, are also low-income, first-generation, and have experienced traumatic events throughout their adolescence. Despite the odds stacked against them, they are heading to college this fall.

I worry, though, about their transitions into predominantly white universities and whether or not PWIs are fully equipped (or willing) to serve all of their needs.

I assume that colleges are ready to embrace my students’ academic strengths and diverse talents, but what about their emotional luggage?

Research shows that African Americans are the most vulnerable demographic to experiencing a potentially traumatic event (PTE) and that homicide is the leading cause of death for African American youth in the United States.[i]

A study published in the Journal of Counseling Psychology found that African American students who start college with a history of PTEs have a harder time completing college. 33% of the study participants did not enroll for their second year.[ii] For African American women, in particular, risks of dropping out of college are even higher.

What did the students who persisted after their first year do differently?

Here were 3 key indicators of persistence for the resilient students:

1. Strong personal resources. They report a higher sense of self-esteem and strong self-regulation when dealing with conflicts. Resilient students also perceive that they have great social support. Someone back home is rooting for them and they are also rooting for themselves!

2. A smooth transition into campus life and campus activities. This is particularly for African American women. Students who able to persist usually find community on their campus through student clubs and organizations that make them feel at home.

3. A positive relationship with a trusted adult. Youth who have endured trauma have a way better chance at being resilient in life if they have at least one positive relationship with one adult who can be their champion. This person does not have to be a parent – teachers, advisers, coaches, etc. are all powerful influences in a young person’s life.

Here are 3 ways youcan help improve outcomes for African American youth in your community:

1. Encourage them to get involved! Most campuses have spaces for black youth to meet other black students. Joining the Black Student Union or historically black Greek life are just two options for black college students to feel affirmed.

2. Be a positive adult in a young person’s life! Validate their challenges as real.

3. Read! Educate yourself about trauma and adolescence. Adolescence lasts longer than many people realize (as late as up to 23 years old) so going off to college is not the beginning adulthood for everyone.[i] Reading more gives insight to youth identity formation and resiliency.

Sources

[i] Johnson, C. M. (2012). The loss of friends to homicide and the implications for the identity development of urban African American teen girls. Clinical Social Work Journal,42(1), 27-40. doi:10.1007/s10615-012-0425-y

[ii] Boyraz, G., Horne, S. G., Owens, A. C., & Armstrong, A. P. (2013). Academic achievement and college persistence of African American students with trauma exposure. Journal of Counseling Psychology,60(4), 582-592. doi:10.1037/a0033672

[iii] Palmer, M. (2016). Understanding and supporting grieving adolescents and young adults. The Pediatric Nursing Journal,42(6), 275-279.