DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/MHBT-D963
Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2932-2014
Defense Date
2022
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Kristina B. Hood
Second Advisor
Eric Benotsch
Third Advisor
Jamie Cage
Fourth Advisor
Fantasy Lozada
Fifth Advisor
Chelsea Williams
Abstract
Black emerging adult women experience gendered racial microaggressions (i.e., subtle and everyday verbal, behavioral, and environmental expressions of oppression based on the intersection of one’s race, gender, and age). Yet, to date, no measurement has explicitly captured these experiences. The study’s purpose is to aid the future development of a gendered racial microaggression measurement for Black emerging adult women based on the intersectionality theory (i.e., race, gender, and age) and Lewis’ model of gendered racial microaggressions. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, the present study took an important step in scale development. Data from six focus group interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a thematic analysis’ techniques. Data yielded three core themes and eight subthemes. These were (1) Stereotypical Expectations (Defensive Black Woman, Expectations of Strength and Independence, and Expectations of Care and Nurturing); (2) Assumptions of Aesthetics and Objectification (Hairism, Colorism, and Fetishized as Exotic); and (3) Feeling Silenced and Marginalized (Ascriptions of Intelligence and Expectation of Submissiveness). These findings are important as they add to existing gendered racial microaggression research by highlighting the role age plays on one’s experiences with gendered racism, as well as the presentation of historical stereotypes and expectations of Black womanhood. Study limitations and future work are discussed.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
12-14-2022