Browsing by Subject "Racial identity"

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An examination of acculturation, racial identity, perceived discrimination and mental health outcomes among Africans and Afro-Caribbeans in the United States
(2016-08) Awosogba, Olufunke Rachael; Cokley, Kevin O. (Kevin O'Neal), 1969-; Awad, Germine; Bentley-Edwards, Keisha; Sanchez, Delida; Foster, Kevin
In the realm of multicultural psychology, focusing on within-group differences facilitates to a deeper understanding of cultural constructs (Bernal, Cumba-Avilés, & Rodriguez-Quintana, 2014). Despite expanded research on acculturation, racial identity, and perceived discrimination on mental health outcomes among various racial and ethnic minority groups, the theoretical and empirical literature focusing on Black immigrants (i.e., Afro-Caribbeans, recent Africans, and their descendants) is scant. This study examined a conceptual model that describes the relationships among acculturation, enculturation, racial centrality, perceived discrimination, and mental health outcomes (specifically, anxiety and depression) among Africans and Afro-Caribbeans in the United States. Two hundred African and Afro-Caribbean adults across 25 states and territories in the United States participated in this study. Using Qualitrics, an online enterprise data collection and survey software, participants completed informed consent forms, a demographic questionnaire, the Measurement of Acculturation Strategies for People of African Descent (MASPAD), the Racial Centrality subscale of the Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity (MIBI), the Perceived Discrimination Scale (PDS), and the Anxiety and Depression subscales of the Mental Health Inventory (MHI). A path analysis was employed to test the fit of the hypothesized model to the data using three widely used fit indices –comparative fit index (CFI), standardized root-mean-square residual (SRMR), and root-mean-square error of approximation (RMSEA). Two (CFI and SRMR) out of the three fit indices suggested adequate to good model fit. The hypothesized path model proposed that acculturation and enculturation would directly affect anxiety and depression, and that racial identity and perceived discrimination would explain the relationship between these cultural adaptation and mental health outcomes variables. Path coefficients were examined for significance to address the hypotheses. All paths in the model were significant accept direct paths from acculturation and enculturation to anxiety and depression. Overall, acculturation and enculturation had significant effects on anxiety and depression, only indirectly through racial centrality and perceived discrimination. Implications for findings are discussed.
The effects of color blindness and racial identity on audience attitudes towards general market advertisements with non-white lead actors
(2012-05) Morris, Angelica Noelle; Kahlor, LeeAnn
Past research exploring the effects of audience racial identity on attitudes towards advertisements featuring models of various races has yielded inconsistent results. The purpose of this study is to address these inconsistencies by expanding the definitions and measurements of audience racial identity. The researcher proposes that feelings of color blindness and strength of racial identity have strong effects on attitudes towards general market ads with non-white lead actors. Following a review of relevant literature, hypotheses development is discussed, and is followed by an outline of the study methodology. The results of the study's quasi-experiment are presented next. The results were shown to partially support the hypotheses, as color blindness and racial identity had a significant effect on audience attitudes towards general market advertisements featuring dominant non-white models. This paper concludes with a discussion of the study's implications for advertising disciplines, an outline of study limitations, and suggestions for future research.
Examining psychosociocultural influences, student-professor interactions, racial identity and resilience as predictors of academic self-concept and academic achivement of Black collegians
(2015-08) Beasley, Samuel T.; Cokley, Kevin O. (Kevin O'Neal), 1969-; Awad, Germine; Gilbert, Dorie; Suizzo, Marie; Drum, David
This study explores how perceptions of the university environment, cultural congruity, student-faculty interactions, racial identity and resilience affect academic outcomes among Black collegians attending historically White postsecondary institutions. Prior scholarship has traditionally focused on standardized measures when assessing academic outcomes among Black college students. In contrast, contextual variables have been given minimal scholarly attention. Using Pearson’s correlations and hierarchical multiple regression, this study examines how perceptions of the university environment, cultural congruity, student-faculty interactions, racial identity and resilience influence academic achievement and academic self-concept among Black college students. The sample consisted of 253 Black college students (88 men, 165 women) recruited from historically White postsecondary institutions. Results revealed academic self-concept, resilience (via academic engagement) and racial centrality were significantly correlated with cumulative GPA. Using hierarchical multiple regression, academic engagement and racial centrality predicted a small but significant increase in variance of cumulative GPA above and beyond academic self-concept. Additionally, correlational analyses revealed psychosociocultural influences, student-faculty interactions, and resilience were significantly correlated with academic self-concept. Hierarchical multiple regression found that racial identity, psychosociocultural influences, student-faculty interactions and resilience each accounted for significant variance in explaining academic self-concept. These findings suggest the need to begin developing a more integrated model that incorporates how race (racial centrality), space (perceptions of the university environment, student-faculty interactions), place (cultural congruity) and pace (resilience via academic and social engagement) influence the outcomes of Black collegians attending historically White educational institutions. Implications of these findings for university faculty, student affairs professionals and mental health professionals are identified.
Exploring three conceptualizations of African-centered worldview in predicting racial identity attitudes in a sample of African American college students
(2010-08) Chapman, Collette-C. Ezelle; Cokley, Kevin O. (Kevin O'Neal), 1969-; Awad, Germine H.
The proposed study will investigate the dimensions of the relationship between three conceptualizations of African-centered worldview (ACWV) and racial identity (RI) attitudes in a sample of African American college students. A canonical correlation analysis will be conducted to explain the relationship between the ACWV variable set and the RI attitudes variable set. It is hypothesized there will be several significant correlations and multiple linear correlations (i.e., dimensions) between the variable sets. Specifically, it is hypothesized that endorsement of each conceptualization of ACWV will be negatively related to Pre-encounter RI attitudes. It is also hypothesized that each conceptualization of ACWV will differentially predict identity salient RI attitudes. Implications and limitations of this study will be discussed.
The heterogeneity of Asian Americans' racial experiences : how relevant is Helms's people of color racial identity attitudes scale?
(2011-08) Lephuoc, Paul Ian; Rude, Stephanie Sandra; Cokley, Kevin; Guzm�n, Michele; Rudrappa, Sharmila; Schallert, Diane
This study tested the construct validity of the People of Color Racal Identity Attitudes Scale (PCRIAS) for Asian Americans using a mixed methods inquiry. The study produced mixed results with regard to the construct validity of the PCRIAS; Conformity and Immersion-Emersion statuses were somewhat corroborated by the qualitative data and provide tentative construct validity for these statuses of Helms’s model. Though statistically insignificant, results for the Internalization status,purportedly the most mature and developed of all racial identity statuses, were opposite to what racial identity theory would predict. Although some dimensions of the PCRIAS may be meaningful for Asian Americans, findings cast doubt upon the overall applicability of PCRIAS scale for Asian Americans. Results draw attention to the importance of race-specific experiences for Asian Americans and highlight the within-group heterogeneity of Asian Americans’ racial experiences. Qualitative analysis yielded critical theoretical points that illuminate how the historical, political, and economic context of Asian Americans has led to a multitude of options for the management of racial stimuli. Emergent themes revealed that Asian Americans have discursive options—factors such as the model minority myth and recourse to ethnic identity—that may offer possible detours around the recognition of racism or the incorporation of race into their sense of identity. These detours, however, may not necessarily be experienced as maladaptive or ego-dystonic. Nonetheless, one of the most prevalent emergent themes involved an endorsement of subjective distress caused by some racial experience, highlighting the clinical significance of Asian Americans’ racial identity and their management of racial stimuli. Emergent themes also revealed that the salience of race is externally imposed upon Asian Americans through the experiences of being (mis)recognized as a racial other. Limitations of the current study are discussed and suggestions for future research are explored.
The impact of racial socialization and racial identity on body dissatisfaction in African American women college students
(2015-12) Taylor, Desire Shenay; Awad, Germine H.; Cokley, Kevin; Sanchez, Delida; Jones, Omi Osun L. Joni; Bentley-Edwards, Keisha
A lack of knowledge exists regarding the sociocultural factors involved in African American women’s experience of body dissatisfaction. This study examined the body image attitudes of African American women through the constructs of racial socialization from family and racial identity. This study was partially exploratory in nature, as few researchers have examined the relation between racial socialization from family and body dissatisfaction. Specifically, this study examined (1) the relationships between endorsement of various racial socialization messages and body dissatisfaction (2) the relationships between racial identity attitudes and body dissatisfaction (3) the role of racial socialization messages and racial identity attitudes in the prediction of body dissatisfaction (4) racial identity attitudes as mediators of the relationship between racial socialization messages and body dissatisfaction. Participants included 187 African American women. The majority of the population was recruited from a large, southwestern, predominantly White university. With regard to racial socialization, results did not support a significant relationship between Protective messages and body dissatisfaction, Coping messages and body dissatisfaction, and Affirmation messages and body dissatisfaction. However, Stereotyping messages were found to be significant and positively related to body dissatisfaction. Results revealed that among racial identity attitudes Pre-Encounter Self-Hatred was significantly and positively related to body dissatisfaction. Findings did not support significant relationships between Pre-Encounter Assimilation, Pre-Encounter Miseducation, Immersion-Emersion Anti-White, Internalization Afrocentric, Internalization Multicultural Inclusive racial identity attitudes and body dissatisfaction. Additionally, Stereotyping messages and Pre-Encounter Self-Hatred were predictive of body dissatisfaction among this sample of African American women. Finally, Pre-Encounter Self-Hatred racial identity attitudes mediated the relationship between Stereotyping messages and body dissatisfaction. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Moments of realization : the experiences, development, motivations and actions of student social justice allies
(2010-12) Owney, Catherine Sanders; Reddick, Richard, 1972-; Reagins-Lilly, Soncia; Rudrappa, Sharmila; Somers, Patricia A.; Vincent, Gregory J.
Social justice allies make important contributions to fighting oppression in campus environments and in their communities after college. However, knowledge of how one becomes a social justice ally is limited. This qualitative, phenomenological study was designed in an effort to better understand the social justice ally development process and advances the pioneering work of Broido (1997, 2000). Examination of student’s understanding of her/his formative and college experiences helped determine how each alone and in combination with other factors or experiences, contributed to her/his ally development process. The role of student affairs professionals and programs in this process was also examined. This study was conducted at The University of Texas at Austin, which was selected because of the historical context, institutional environment and diversity-related initiatives implemented over the past 10 years. Review of the literature on ally development reveals that a majority of the existing research focuses on allies who take action against heterosexism or sexism. Through this research project I addressed this gap by including student allies who focus on other areas of privilege/oppression including classism and citizenship status. This study also expands the analysis of social justice allies by including examination of the influence of gender on the development, motivations and actions of allies.
Mulheres Brazucas : identity negotiation in the immigration experience of Brazilian women
(2013-08) Bessa, Luana Barbosa; Ainslie, Ricardo C.
This study draws from literature on acculturation, acculturative stress and gender roles as they relate to the experiences of Latin American immigrant groups. It focuses on Brazilian immigrant women, a group which has been understudied in psychological literature. This interview-based qualitative research project utilizes a phenomenological approach focusing on the personal lived experiences of Brazilian immigrant women in Texas and Massachusetts. Ten interviews were analyzed and five emergent themes were revealed. Results revealed ways in which women's immigration experiences intersect with their multiple identities, and the ways in which those identities are shaped and negotiated during the transformative immigration experience. The phenomenological approach is particularly suited to study the immigration experience, as this experience inherently involves issues of identity, transition and meaning-making within a particular contextual space.
Queering race
(2010-08) Wright, Kristopher Thomas; Higgins, Kathleen Marie; Ritter, Gretchen
I develop a feminist critique of three features in contemporary views of race: the meaning of race is essentially biological; each of us has exactly one kind of racial identity; and our racial identities are permanent. Having revealed each of these features to be confusions about the language of racial identification, I contend that our racial concepts currently permit a wider range of racial identifications than we currently acknowledge. Finally, I critically evaluate the political and ethical ramifications of treating race as a unified, permanent identity. Resistance to systems of racial and gendered oppression should challenge our identities as unified and permanent.
Racial identity, ethnic identity, and the link between perceived racism and psychological distress in African and Afro-Caribbean Blacks
(2013-12) Awosogba, Olufunke Rachael; Cokley, Kevin O. (Kevin O'Neal), 1969-
Numerous studies confirm the relationship between perceived racism and psychological distress. Scholars have incorporated group identification to understand this relationship among Black Americans; however, there is a dearth in the literature on other Black ethnic groups. The influx of African and Afro-Caribbean immigrants continues to change the demography of Black America. Despite being racially categorized as Black, these groups have different social and cultural experiences, which influence self-concept and psychological functioning. The proposed study seeks to examine moderation effects of racial identity and ethnic identity in relation to perceived racism and psychological distress in African and Afro-Caribbean Blacks.
Rednecks, revivalists and roadkill : the construction of whiteness in an Appalachian town
(2010-08) Baker, Hannah Rose Pilkington; Hartigan, John, 1964-; Stewart, Kathleen C.
This report examines the construction of whiteness in Appalachia through a close study of two New Year’s Eve celebrations in a small community in Brasstown, North Carolina. By examining these two celebrations, I draw out questions of race and racialization that have been largely overlooked in the study of Appalachia and illustrate the connections between the construction of a whitewashed Appalachian identity and the construction of an equally pale national identity. This report challenges the idea that Appalachia as a region is “racially innocent” and therefore does not play a role in discussions of race in America. On the contrary, I show that Appalachia’s position as a site of production of a national culture and identity means that in the context of Appalachia, race and racialization demand scrutiny as a means for understanding what “whiteness” is.
Reflections on the supervision interactions of residence life staff : the implications of racial identity on the Hall Director (HD)/Resident Assistant (RA) supervisory relationship
(2014-05) Wilson, Angel L.; Somers, Patricia (Patricia A.)
This study examined the supervisory interactions of past and present residence life staff members, specifically, the implications of race on the residence life professional (HD)/residence life student staff member (RA) supervisory relationship. College and university residence halls provide some of the most diverse environments that individuals will encounter as they move through life (Amada, 1994; Jaeger & Caison, 2005). It is in these spaces that individuals learn the most about themselves and others. Thus, learning to navigate multicultural interactions is critical. Facilitated by residence life staff, this knowledge serves as preparation for the actual experiences and situations students will face once they are in the "real world." Although some areas of the higher education literature were limited, the literature review supported the role that residence life staff members have in preparing student staff members (whom are also residents) for the workplace. Learning how to handle situations in the workplace where there are differences such as language, race/ethnicity, culture, or values and beliefs will aid in positive interactions with others and ultimately contribute to a better working environment--inside and outside of the residence halls. Qualitative methods were used for this study because of their attention to vivid and layered descriptions. These descriptions give voice to a person's experiences and interactions and help them make meaning of their own worlds. As a result of residence life staff members living where they work, the most appropriate way to further examine their life experiences was through a phenomenological lens. In addition to the aforementioned qualitative methods, modified versions of quantitative instruments from an earlier study (Ladany, Brittan-Powell, & Pannu, 1997) and two other scales (Helms & Carter; 1990; Helms & Parham, 1996) were used to measure the racial identity development of the participants. These inventories relied on participants to self-report their perceptions. After these assessments were completed, interviews were conducted with 10 randomly selected participants (five RAs and five HDs). Five themes emerged from these participant interviews: prestige, protection, privilege, proximity, and preparedness.
Relationships among body image dissatisfaction, racial identity, and racial socialization in African American women college students
(2013-08) Taylor, Desire Shenay; Awad, Germine H.
The discussion of race within body image research has for many years been a topic of empirical focus. However, remaining still is a lack of knowledge regarding the unique sociocultural factors that are involved in African American women’s experience of body and the development of body dissatisfaction. Racial identity and family background may impact Black women’s body attitudes. The proposed study is an exploratory investigation of body dissatisfaction in a sample of African American women college students. Specifically, the role of racial identity and the endorsement of racial socialization messages received from family will be examined. Findings will serve to increase understanding of the sociocultural underpinnings of body image among Black women. Racial identity and racial socialization will be tested as potential predictors of body dissatisfaction through hierarchical multiple regression analyses. Racial identity status will be examined as a potential mediator of racial socialization and body dissatisfaction.
The therapy hour in black and white : an exploration of counselor preference and cultural mistrust among African American students
(2013-08) Holman, Andrea Chantal; Cokley, Kevin O. (Kevin O'Neal), 1969-
This study explored interpersonal trust, racial identity, perceived racism, and religious orientation as predictors of preference for a Black counselor and cultural mistrust. The unique variance of interpersonal trust and cultural mistrust in predicting preference for a Black counselor was also explored. The relationship between cultural mistrust and interpersonal trust was tested to determine whether or not they are independent constructs. This study also examined the relationship between racial identity and religious orientation. Gender differences in religious orientation, cultural mistrust and preference for a Black counselor were examined. Previous studies provide support that cultural mistrust contributes to negative help-seeking attitudes and underutilization of mental health services. Researchers have identified racial identity and perceived racism as correlates to and/or predictors of cultural mistrust and preference for a Black counselor (Whaley, 2001). This study involved participants recruited in part from the Educational Psychology (EDP) Subject Pool at The University of Texas at Austin (UT). Participants were also recruited from five student organizations at UT. Participants completed the survey using an online survey tool or a paper copy of the survey. One stratum was used for selection of participants: students who racially identify as African-American or Black. Results of the study revealed interpersonal trust as a significant predictor of preference for a Black counselor. However, exploratory analyses indicated that cultural mistrust served as the sole predictor of Black counselor preference when seeking a counselor for dealing with racial concerns. Interpersonal trust, immersion-emersion anti-white racial identity attitudes (IEAW) and extrinsic religious orientation were significant predictors of cultural mistrust. Results also indicated a positive relationship between Internalization Multiculturalist (IMCI) racial identity attitudes and intrinsic religious orientation. A negative correlation was found to exist between intrinsic religious orientation and IEAW. High cultural mistrust levels were also positively associated with high IEAW attitudes. Additionally, a small, yet statistically significant negative relationship was found to exist between cultural mistrust and interpersonal trust. Cultural mistrust did not account for a significant amount of variance above that of interpersonal trust in predicting preference for a Black counselor. Finally, no mean sex differences were found among levels of Black counselor preference, cultural mistrust, and intrinsic or extrinsic religious orientation. Exploratory analyses also revealed a positive relationship between cultural mistrust and seven out of ten scenarios for Black counselor preference. Individuals with a preference for a Black counselor reported higher levels of cultural mistrust related to issues concerning: excessive worry/anxiety, drinking too much alcohol/using drugs, relationship problems, feelings of harassment/feeling threatened, sexual issues, racial issues, and difficulty controlling anger. Results of the study bear implications for understanding cultural mistrust and interpersonal trust as it relates to counselor preference. Implications for counselors are also discussed regarding the intersection of racial and religious identities. Limitations and future directions for research are also discussed.
Western science and Japanese identity from the Meiji restoration to the Pacific War
(2006-05) Marx, Shaun Patrick; Traphagan, John W.
This thesis is in response to scholarly works on Japanese society and the ideal of the monoethnic race in relation to minorities and immigrants living in contemporary Japan. Race is as much a biological concept as it is a social one, and much of our modern understanding of race was borne out of the scientific and philosophic thought of nineteenth-century Europe and North American. Therefore, I posit that the adoption of western science by Japan effectively translated the Japanese body into a biological construct and blurred the line between science and culture, developing into a racially-based national identity by the time of the Pacific War. The construction of the Japanese body in this manner occurred in three successive translations: (1)the body as an object to be improved upon in order to compete with the West; (2) the body as a racialized object, distinct from all others and (3)the body as an object to be safeguarded from degradation. The discourse among social actors, including scholars, the government, religious leaders, and others, followed along western models of biological determinism and ultimately led to Japan's own indigenous form of eugenics. The catalyst for this process was the "scientizing" of the body. Just as Douglas has theorized that what is acted upon the body reflects larger societal issues, when western science was placed into the framework of the Japanese body it can be discerned that the translation from a traditional form to a scientific one, resulting in a "scientized" body. However, the translation was not wholesale and indigenous concepts of the body, like the family state, merged with biodeterminist conceptions to create a mono-ethnic race in line with Neo-Shintoist ideology. Implications for postwar Japan fall outside the confines of this thesis, but threads from the prewar period do carry over into the present.

Browsing by Subject "Racial identity"

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