Reactions of African American Students to the George Zimmerman Trial: Co-Rumination and Thought Intrusions as Mediators |
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Authors: | Desi S. Hacker Jacqueline E. Haywood Ralitsa S. Maduro Tyler B. Mason Valerian J. Derlega Scott B. Harrison |
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Affiliation: | 1. Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA;2. Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA |
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Abstract: | We document how prior experiences with racism, sequentially mediated by co-rumination about racial problems with a friend and thought intrusions, are associated with negative reactions to a racially charged event—the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman and the subsequent trial and acquittal of Mr. Zimmerman. African Americans’ prior experiences with racial discrimination predicted more co-rumination about racial problems with a friend. In turn, co-rumination was associated with more thought intrusions about the trial, leading to more negative affect and less forgiveness for Zimmerman. Co-rumination about racism and worrisome thinking about high-profile race-related events may amplify concern about racism for a frequent target of racial discrimination, lowering the threshold for negative psychological reactions to racist acts (including acts of violence) that may happen to other African Americans or to oneself. |
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Keywords: | Co-rumination forgiveness George Zimmerman negative affect racial discrimination thought intrusions Trayvon Martin |
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