Exploring The Link Between Black Racial Identity And Mental Health

Wilson, Shanika Lavi

doi:10.4172/2167-1044.1000272

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Three major conceptual approaches to African American racial identity theory have been identified (Constantine, Richardson, Benjamin, & Wilson, 1998;Wilson, Sellers, Solomon, & Holsey-Hyman, 2017). Nigrescence (or mainstream) stage models of African American racial identity (Cross, 1978(Cross, , 1995Helms, 1990Helms, , 1995White & Parham, 1990) posit a linear progression of stages or statuses that African Americans progress from negative thoughts and feelings about being Black in the United States to an internalized positive view of themselves and other African Americans.…”

Section: African American Racial Identitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Does African American Women’s Racial Identity Mediate Gendered Racism on Anticipated Relationship Threat?

Gamst

Meyers

et al. 2019

J Interpers Violence

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The present study examined the question of whether racial identity among African American women mediated the relationship between gendered racism and anticipated relationship threat. Using the Multicultural Assessment Intervention Process (MAIP) framework, we examined the relationship of gendered racism, racial identity, and anticipated relationship threat among a convenience sample of 411 African American women. A structural model was configured with gendered racism directly predicting anticipated relationship threat and racial identity serving as a mediator. Results indicated that greater levels of perceived gendered racism were associated with greater perceptions of anticipated relationship threat. Racial identity was found to not mediate the association with anticipated relationship threat. Individuals with less education experienced higher levels of concern regarding physical safety and controlling behaviors than those with more education. Implications for future relationship threat research with African American women are discussed.

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Section: African American Racial Identitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Does African American Women’s Racial Identity Mediate Gendered Racism on Anticipated Relationship Threat?

Gamst

Meyers

et al. 2019

J Interpers Violence

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“…Positive Black-oriented media such as Black Panther can be used to increase self-awareness and cultural knowledge that facilitates a strong racial identity. A strong racial identity is beneficial for one's mental health (Wilson et al, 2017), academic achievement (Miller-Cotto & Byrnes, 2016), and ability to cope with racist stressors (Lewis et al, 2020). Therefore, interventions using media as tools to inform racial identity development among individuals of all age groups are warranted.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring identity and coping among Black viewers of Marvel’s Black Panther.

Dogan¹,

Rosenkrantz²,

Wheeler³

et al. 2022

Psychology of Popular Media

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Mass media influences Black identity development by perpetuating negative images and stereotypes about Black people. However, Marvel's Black Panther gained popular acclaim, as it presented experiences of Black people that disrupted stereotypical tropes. Limited research examines the impact of positive, Black-oriented media on Black identity; thus, the current qualitative study explored the influence of watching Black Panther on the racial identity of 137 Black viewers aged 19 to 63 (67% female; 90% heterosexual) through an online survey. The movie's influence on participants' coping strategies for racism and racial discrimination were also explored. Utilizing the multidimensional model of racial identity as a theoretical framework, we constructed 12 subthemes to reflect racial centrality (Blackness as a Spectrum), salience (Essential Representation, In Awe of Blackness), public and private regard (Accepted and Humanized, Appreciation of Black Beauty, Countering Common Stereotypes), and ideology (Troubled by Disconnection, Desire for Community Unity, and Hope Through Resiliency). Participants' coping strategies varied after watching Black Panther and reflected subthemes of Escape From Current Reality, Hope for the Future, and Inability to Cope. Implications for media, racial identity, and Black psychology are discussed. Public Policy Relevance StatementOur study showed watching Black Panther positively impacted Black viewers' racial identity. However, because the movie served as a form of escapism from sociopolitical woes, watching Black-oriented media may not facilitate Black viewers' active coping with racist stressors. Assessing ways for media consumption to reduce Black people's race-based stress and mental health concerns may be appropriate for future research.

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“…The original study was conducted during the spring of 2020, a time in America when racism and police brutality were at the forefront (Buchanan et al, 2020 ). This may have caused the women in this cluster to dislike white people and develop a heightened awareness to racial issues (Neville & Cross, 2017 ), resulting in increased stress levels or depression (Wilson, et al, 2017 ) and lower maternal functioning abilities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Due to the prevalence of experienced racism by Black women (Chambers et al, 2021 ; Nuru-Jeter et al, 2009 ) and its psychological impact, it is of great concern that there is potential for many Black women to have difficulties adjusting to motherhood. Because low levels of maternal functioning may indicate postpartum depression, the women with Self-Hating and Anti-white racial identities need to receive mental health counseling to spark conversations around their self-hatred (Pogue White, 2002 ), experiences with racism, and other stressors (Wilson et al, 2017 ). These Black women may find strength in changing the superwoman narrative to one that includes self-care and self-preservation (Scott, 2017 ), developing a relationship with a Black or culturally competent mental healthcare provider who encourages them to remove their “superwoman cape”, be vulnerable, and begin to improve their quality of life and transition into motherhood.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%