Investigating Longitudinal Associations Between Racial Microaggressions, Coping, Racial/Ethnic Identity, and Mental Health in Black Girls and Women

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Individual, interpersonal, and systemic racial discrimination against black Americans frequently occur. Black adults and adolescents are significantly at risk for health and well-being due to racial microaggressions. However, with time, protective factors (coping, racial/ethnic identification) can decrease the negative consequences of racial microaggressions. Unfortunately, very few researchers have examined these protective factors specifically or chronically concerning Black girls and women.

The current study is centered on Black girls’ and women’s experiences and focused on the long-term relationships between racial microaggressions and symptoms of mental illness. The role of two important moderators, dealing with racial discrimination and racial/ethnic identity for mental health, were examined. One hundred and ninety-nine (199) black adolescent girls and 199 black women participated in the study; questionnaires on two different types of racial microaggressions, three different coping mechanisms, race/ethnic identification, and mental health symptoms were completed and analyzed.

Analysis of the protective factors indicated a potential direct benefit rather than a moderating role of coping with racial discrimination through positive thinking for mental health in both Black girls and women. Evidence suggests that coping may have had a direct rather than an indirect effect on Black girls’ mental health over time.

Loyd, A.B., Kürüm, E., Crooks, N., Maya, A., Emerson, E. and Donenberg, G.R. (2022), Investigating Longitudinal Associations Between Racial Microaggressions, Coping, Racial/Ethnic Identity, and Mental Health in Black Girls and Women.