Racism’s Lasting Reach: Longitudinal Pathways of Racism-Based Traumatic Stress across Adolescence and Generations

We examined longitudinal, intergenerational pathways of racism-based traumatic stress (RBTS) among 333 adolescent–caregiver dyads. Using cross-lagged models across two years, caregivers’ RBTS predicted increases in adolescents’ RBTS, particularly for boys. Findings highlight the sustained and gendered transmission of racial trauma within families and underscore adolescence as a vulnerable developmental period.