A result of twelve years of quantitative and qualitative research, Dr. DeGruy developed her theory of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, publishing her findings in the book "Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome – America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing”. The book addresses the residual impacts of generations of slavery and opens up the discussion of how the black community can use the strengths we have developed in the past to heal in the present.

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WHAT IS P.T.S.S.?
P.T.S.S. is a theory that explains the etiology of many of the adaptive survival behaviors in African American communities throughout the United States and the Diaspora. It is a condition that exists as a consequence of multigenerational oppression of Africans and their descendants resulting from centuries of chattel slavery–a form of slavery which was predicated on the belief that African Americans were inherently/genetically inferior to whites. This was then followed by institutionalized racism which continues to perpetuate injury, thus resulting in M.A.P.:

• M: Multigenerational trauma together with continued oppression

• A: Absence of opportunity to heal or access the benefits available in the society; leading to

• P: Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome

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Under such circumstances, these are some of the predictable patterns of behavior that tend to occur:

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KEY PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR REFLECTIVE OF P.T.S.S.

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Vacant Esteem
Insufficient development of what Dr. DeGruy refers to as primary esteem, along with feelings of hopelessness, depression and a general self-destructive outlook.

Marked Propensity for Anger and Violence
Extreme feelings of suspicion perceived negative motivations of others. Violence against self, property, and others, including the members of one’s own group, i.e. friends, relatives, or acquaintances.

Racist Socialization/Internalized Racism
Learned helplessness, literacy deprivation, distorted self-concept, antipathy or aversion for the following:

• The members of ones own identified cultural/ethnic group

• The mores and customs associated ones own identified cultural/ethnic heritage

• The physical characteristics of ones own identified cultural/ethnic group

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The book Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome incorporates her research in both America and Africa, as well as her twenty years of experience as a social work practitioner and consultant to public and private organizations. Dr. DeGruy first exposes the reader to the   conditions that led to the Atlantic slave trade and allowed the pursuant racism and efforts at repression to continue through present day. She then looks at the seemingly insurmountable obstacles that African Americans faced as the result of the slave trade. Next, she discusses the adaptive behaviors they developed—both positive and negative—that allowed them to survive and often even thrive. Dr. DeGruy concludes by reevaluating those adaptive behaviors that have been passed down through generations where appropriate. She explores replacing behaviors which are today maladaptive with ones that will promote, and sustain the healing and ensure the advancement of African American culture.

 

The Study Guide is designed to help individuals, groups, and organizations better understand the functional and dysfunctional attitudes and behaviors that have been transmitted to us through multiple generations; behaviors that we are   now transmitting to others in our environments of home, school, and work and within the larger society.  The Guide encourages and broadens the discussion and implications about the specific issues that were raised in the book, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing. The Study Guide provides useful and practical tools to help the reader develop skills aimed at transforming negative attitudes and behaviors into positive ones.