Protecting the Self, Protecting White Supremacy: Exploring the Relationship Between Psychological Defense, Gender, and White Fragility

Historically, research connected to social justice has focused on the experiences, challenges, and strengths of individuals on the margins (Jamel, 2017). Only more recently has research begun to address individuals of relative privilege who exert power over marginalized groups and may perpetuate the current system of straight White male hegemony. White fragility is one concept through which the internal operations of a relatively privileged group may be explored. White Fragility resembles psychological defense mechanisms (e.g., projection, denial) in its behavioral manifestation and function. Defensive responses to White privilege also vary by gender. Accordingly, this exploratory study examined whether gender moderated the relationship between psychological defenses and White Fragility. Results of this study may serve as a springboard for further White Fragility research and continued investigation of the processes by which White Americans increase their racial cognizance.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Counseling Psychology (UMKC)

Grantor

University of Missouri--Kansas City

Year dc:date.issued

2021

Author dc:creator

• Keramidas, Alexa Marie

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Langrehr, Kimberly J.

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10355/83805

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mospace.umsystem.edu:10355/83805