Relationship between racial microaggression and psychological wellbeing of African American college students

Abstract

Many researchers have investigated the relationship between the experiences of overt racist events and psychological wellbeing (Greene, Way, & Pahl, 2006; Harrell, Hall & Taliaferro, 2003; Okazaki, 2009). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between psychological wellbeing and racial microaggressions. Psychological wellbeing is measured through classifications of depression, depressive symptoms, and self-esteem. A total of 234 African American college students completed the Racial Ethnic Microaggression Scale (REMS: Nadal, 2010); Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES: Rosenberg, 1965), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI: Beck, Ward, Mendelson, & Erbaugh, 1916). An analysis of the primary factors, depression, self esteem and racial microaggression was conducted. A statistically significant positive relationship between racial ethnic microaggressions and depression (BDI raw scores; r = .622, p < .001; BDI classifications r = .563, p < .001), and racial microaggression and self-esteem, (RSES; r =.206, p =.002) were found.