Exploring the Role of Racial Microaggressions in the Association Between Depression Symptoms and Drug Use and Related Harm Among Women of Color Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence.

Abstract

Objective: Drug use and related harm among women of color who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious clinical concern. Depression symptoms have been identified as an important risk factor for the development of drug use and related harm among women of color with a history of IPV. The current study advances this research by examining the roles of distinct domains of racial microaggressions in the relation between depression symptoms and drug use and related harm in this population. Method: Participants were 103 women of color experiencing IPV (M_age = 40.39, 51% Black/African American). Results: Results indicated an indirect effect of depression symptoms on drug use and related harm via racial microaggression domains of Assumptions of Inferiority, Second-Class Citizen and Assumptions of Criminality, Microinvalidations, Exoticization and Assumptions of Similarity, and Environmental Microaggressions. Conclusions: Findings provide preliminary support for the role of racial microaggressions in the association between depression and drug use and related harm among women of color experiencing IPV.