Effects of gendered racial microaggressions on the mental health of black women

Martins, Tafnes Varela; Lima, Tiago Jessé Souza de; Santos, Walberto Silva

doi:10.1590/1413-81232020257.29182018

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Sumário

FREE THEMES • Ciênc. saúde coletiva 25 (7) • July 2020 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232020257.29182018 copy

Effects of gendered racial microaggressions on the mental health of black women

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the effects of gendered racial microaggressions on the mental health of black women, specifically the influence of the variables identity and self-esteem on the relationship between the frequency of gendered racial microaggressions and mental health. 76 women participated in the study. The mean age was 24.62 years (SD = 6.3). Participants answered four instruments in addition to sociodemographic questions: Gendered Racial Microaggression Scale, Goldberg General Health Questionnaire, Group Identification Scale, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The results indicate that the high frequency of gendered racial microaggressions predicts worse levels of mental health and self-esteem. Self-esteem mediates the relationship between microaggressions and general health. It is a protective factor of mental health. Identity moderates this relationship, so that a high identification as a black woman is related to lower levels of mental health when faced with a high frequency of discriminatory events. Despite some limitations, the objectives were achieved. Future studies should contribute with explanations of the relationship between gendered racial microaggressions and mental health.

Key words
Racism; Sexism; Mental Health; Identity; Self-image

	M	SD	1	2	3	4
1. Microaggressions Frequency	3,14	1,36	-
2. Microaggressions Stress Level	3,62	1,49	0.67^ p < 0.001.	-
3. Mental Health	2,44	0,73	-0.25^* * p < 0.05;	-0.51^ p < 0.001.	-
4. Identity (Black Woman)	6,10	1,27	0.10	0.41^ p < 0.001.	-0.28^* * p < 0.05;	-
5. Self-esteem	4,86	1,47	-0.31^ p < 0.001.	-0.34^ p < 0.001.	0.56^ p < 0.001.	-0.18

	Step 1: Mental Health	Step 2: Self-esteem	Step 3: Mental Health	Step 4: Mental Health
	b	b	b	b	η²_p
Constant	3.00	5.96^* ***** p < 0.001.	1.46	-0.67
Microaggressions (MA)	-0.14^* * *p < 0.05;	-0.35^ p < 0.01;	-0.05	-0.08	0,03
Self-esteem			0.26^* ***** p < 0.001.	0.27^* ***** p < 0.001.	0,34
Identity (ID)				-0.04	0,01
MA x ID				-0.13^* ***** p < 0.001.	0,22
	R = 0.26 R2 = 0.06 F (1.74) = 5.07 p < 0.05	R = 0.31 R2 = 0.10 F (1.74) = 8.08 p < 0.01	R = 0.57 R2 = 0.32 F (2.73) = 17.4 p < 0.01		R = 0.71 R2 = 0.50 F (4.71) = 17.80 p < 0.001

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[1] Collaborations

TV Martins contributed to the elaboration of the introduction, data collection and discussion of the results. TJS Lima collaborated in the preparation of the introduction, data analysis and discussion of the results. WS Santos participated in the discussion of the results and final review of the manuscript.