DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/XV50-PJ24

Defense Date

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Counseling Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Shawn Utsey

Abstract

This qualitative study examines the interplay between postmodernity, social media, and African American identity formation through focus group analysis and Grounded Theory methodology. The research investigates how social media’s postmodern features—fragmentation, hyperreality, commodification, and context collapse—shape identity development among African Americans, who historically navigate cultural disruption and systemic racism. Data from semi-structured interviews with two generational focus groups revealed that participants engaged in sophisticated identity curation to balance authenticity and protection in racially charged digital spaces. Key findings highlight the tension between empowerment and marginalization, as social media served as both a platform for racial affirmation and a source of hypervisibility, requiring constant negotiation of self-presentation across audiences. Participants demonstrated accelerated recognition of identity’s constructed nature, aligning with theories of postmodern consciousness while uniquely addressing racialized experiences. The study challenges linear models of identity development, proposing instead a fluid, context-dependent framework that reflects African Americans’ historical resilience and adaptation to digital postmodernity. Practical implications for counseling psychology emphasize culturally responsive approaches to digital literacy, addressing social comparisons, and supporting clients’ navigation of online racial representation. By bridging historical patterns of cultural displacement with contemporary digital practices, this research advances understanding of how African Americans reconcile dual legacies of resistance and adaptation within postmodern media ecosystems, offering critical insights for fostering healthy identity development in an increasingly digitized world.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

4-29-2025

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