Racial Identity and Racial Socialization: A Scoping Review of Clinical,School-Based,and Community Interventions and Trauma Among Black Youth Since COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, alongside the heightened racialized sociopolitical unrest following the murder of George Floyd, intensified longstanding structural racism, exacerbating racial stress, and trauma among Black youth. This scoping review synthesizes recent literature on culturally relevant interventions developed or implemented since the pandemic’s onset to address these challenges. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Academic Search Complete were searched for studies published from 2020 to 2024. Eligible interventions targeted Black youth from childhood through emerging adulthood, addressed racial stress or trauma, and included a therapeutic component or psychosocial skill-building component. Five studies met inclusion criteria, spanning family-based prevention programs, school-based counseling interventions, and culturally grounded arts-based and identity-focused approaches. Across studies that included empirical evaluation, reported outcomes included improved family communication about race, enhanced coping strategies, increased racial pride, strengthened ethnic–racial identity, and improved psychological functioning. Other studies contributed qualitative insights or programmatic frameworks relevant to culturally responsive practice. Interventions that supported caregiver-driven racial socialization, incorporated culturally grounded arts-based stress management, or intentionally fostered ethnic–racial identity development showed the most promise. Approaches involving caregivers or community engagement reinforced protective racial socialization messages and promoted resilience. Findings highlight the urgent need for scalable, sustainable, and culturally responsive interventions that address both the psychological and sociocultural dimensions of racial stress. An additional priority is evaluating these approaches with youth presenting more clinically severe or complex symptom profiles, as many studies do not assess severity in depth. Future research should rigorously evaluate these models longitudinally, refine culturally relevant strategies, and explore diverse socialization agents to optimize well-being among Black youth.

Plain Language Summary

Helping Black Youth Heal from Racism: How Culturally Relevant Programs Can Reduce Stress, Build Pride, and Support Well-Being During and After COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic not only disrupted daily life but also highlighted and worsened existing racism in the United States. Black children and teens have faced unique challenges during this time, including more frequent exposure to racism, both in their own lives and through constant news and social media coverage of racial violence. These experiences can cause “racial stress”—emotional and physical strain related to racism—and sometimes lead to “racial trauma,” which affects mental health, self-esteem, and school performance. This review looked at five studies published between 2020 and 2024 that tested programs designed to help Black youth cope with racial stress and trauma. These programs took place in families, schools, and communities, and included activities like therapy sessions that addressed racism directly, music and arts programs that built cultural pride, and workshops that strengthened communication between youth and their caregivers. Across different approaches, the programs helped youth and families talk more openly about race, build coping skills, strengthen pride in being Black, and improve emotional well-being. Programs that involved parents, caregivers, or community members were especially effective, as they reinforced positive messages about racial identity and resilience. The results show that programs work best when they reflect the culture, history, and lived experiences of Black youth. They should also address both the emotional impact of racism and the everyday realities of navigating a racially unequal society. While more research is needed, especially to see which programs work best over time, these findings highlight the importance of creating and expanding culturally relevant programs that help Black youth thrive in the face of racism.