The moderating role of alexithymia in the relationship between racial trauma and negative emotionality among Black adults.

OBJECTIVE

Racial trauma is, understandably, associated with negative emotionality and particularly depression and anxiety for Black Americans. To inform trauma-related intervention, insights into mechanisms associated with racial trauma, depression, and anxiety are paramount. One potential mechanism is alexithymia, or one's capacity to identify and describe emotions. The purpose of this study was to examine alexithymia as a possible influence in the association of racial trauma and negative emotionality among Black adults.

METHOD: Study participants were 133 Black American adults (M = 35.02 years; SD = 14.43 years) who reported at least one racially traumatic event. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire battery.

RESULTS

As predicted, the association of racial trauma and negative emotionality was statistically significant though only for respondents who reported heightened levels of alexithymia.

CONCLUSION

These findings provide insights into the importance of emotional expression for influencing responses to race-based traumatic events. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).