Date of Conferral

5-22-2024

Date of Award

May 2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Teaonna Watson

Abstract

Research indicates that racism remains a persistent social issue within American society and continues to permeate many institutions, including the military. While the issue of racism in the United States has garnered awareness, the pervasive and persistent psychological effects of racism on Black and African American service members have not been adequately researched. A qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was conducted to collect data from 16 participants through in-depth semi-structured interviews to examine this topic. Critical race theory and race-based traumatic stress theory were the theoretical frameworks for this study. Findings indicated that racial encounters and discrimination continue to be persistent in the Armed Forces across branches and throughout ranks. Participants reported they experienced some form of racism while serving in the military that included discriminatory jokes and racial comments/slurs, as well as witnessing or experiencing discrimination with promotions. Participants also reported experiencing racism in the military impacted their mental health. This study highlights that racism within the military may adversely affect service members’ psychological wellbeing, unit cohesion, mission effectiveness, and trust. This study is essential for positive social change as it identifies areas of racial discrimination within the military and offers strategies to promote awareness and develop training to challenge discriminatory practices effectively.

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