Construction and initial validation of the gendered racial microaggressions scale: an exploration among black women

The purpose of this study was to develop a measure of gendered racial microaggressions (i.e., subtle and everyday verbal, behavioral, and environmental expressions of oppression based on the intersection of one’s race and gender) experienced by Black women based on Essed’s (1991) theory of gendered racism and Sue and colleagues’ (2007) model of racial microaggressions. The Gendered Racial Microaggressions Scale – Black Women (GRMS-BW) was designed to assess the interpersonal nature of the intersection of subtle forms of racism and sexism. Data from 469 participants were collected in two interrelated studies for the purposes of scale development, initial validation, and construct validity. In Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis resulted in a 25-item scale with 4 factors as follows: (1) Assumptions of Beauty and Sexual Objectification, (2) Silenced and Marginalized, (3) Strong Black Woman, and (4) Angry Black Woman. Results of a confirmatory factor analysis suggested that the 4-factor model was a good fit of the data and the best fit compared to competing models. The GRMS-BW was positively related to a racial and ethnic microaggressions measure as well as a measure of sexist events. In addition, the GRMS-BW was significantly related to psychological distress. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Lewis, Jioni

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mendenhall, Ruby
• Anderson, Carolyn J.
• Neville, Helen A.
• Rounds, James

• Black women
• microaggressions
• racial
• gendered
• racism
• sexism
• race
• gender

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2013 Jioni A. Lewis

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/45588

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/45588