Shades of Oppression: How Gendered Racial Microaggressions, In-group Colorism, and out-group colorism Shape Black Women’s Psychological Well-Being

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relations between gendered racial microaggressions, colorism, and psychological well-being among Black women. Drawing on intersectionality theory, we explore how the intersectional effects of racism, sexism, and colorism create unique layers of oppression that disproportionately affect Black women's mental health. Despite growing awareness of gendered racial microaggressions as subtle forms of prejudice in both social and professional settings, the specific impacts of these daily slights, particularly when intertwined with colorism, remain underexplored. This study is focused on how in-group and out-group colorism may interact with gendered racial microaggressions to exacerbate mental health and well-being. This research aims to fill gaps in the literature by assessing the association between gendered racial microaggressions, colorism (in-group and out-group), and psychological outcomes. Participants were 239 Black women and results from hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicate a negative association between Assumptions of Beauty and Sexual Objectification (ABSO) microaggressions and psychological well-being. In-group colorism and out-group colorism significantly moderated the association between ABSO microaggressions and psychological well-being for Black women. Implications from the results indicate the need to continue exploration of the mental health challenges related to discriminatory experiences for Black women and the need for culturally responsive interventions tailored to their unique experiences.