Trauma and Perceived Closeness Between Black Adolescents and their Parents’ Impact on Self-Esteem

Abstract

This study explored the impact of trauma upon Black adolescents’ self-esteem through the lens of Structural Family Therapy. Secondary data from the 2014 wave of the National Longitudinal Surveys Children and Young Adults database were utilized. Using a structural family therapy, two research questions were posited which examined the direct effects of two independent variables (trauma and perceived closeness to parents) upon the dependent variable of self-esteem. Linear regressions did not produce significant results in trauma and perceived closeness upon the self-esteem of African American adolescents. Clinical implications and future directions were provided.