Navigating Racial Stress: How Black Mothers’ and Fathers’ Trauma Shapes Confidence in Talking About Racism

Sheretta T. Butler-Barnes, Seanna Leath, Bridget L. Cheeks, JaNiene Peoples, Ivy Smith, Emani Sargent, SynClaire Arthur, Khrystal Johnson, Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Brain Sciences, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Human Development , Family Studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Division of Computational , Data Sciences, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis

Journal of Black Psychology

Published online on October 16, 2025

Abstract

Journal of Black Psychology, Volume 52, Issue 5, Page 539-567, September 2026.
This study examined Black parents’ reports of daily racism experiences on racial socialization competency (i.e., confidence in discussing race and racism) among Black mothers(N= 385, Mage= 36.99, 55% mothers) and fathers(N= 296,Mage= 37.66). The ...