This qualitative study examined instances of racial identity invalidation among 49 Black/White Biracial individuals. Transcriptions of participants discussing their most stressful experience of invalidation were coded for themes using content analysis. Themes that emerged provided a rich description of Biracial participants' perceptions of why invalidation occurs and why perpetrators invalidated the individual. Also addressed are Biracial people's thoughts, feelings, and reactions in response to the invalidation, and the effect of the invalidating experience on racial identity.Implications for research and preventive interventions are provided.

This qualitative study examined instances of racial discrimination from family members among 36 Black/White Multiracial individuals. Forms of discrimination included stereotyping, identity invalidation, racist comments, lack of acknowledgment, vicarious discrimination, and negativity. Participants responded to discrimination by distancing themselves from family members, resisting, and/or dismissing discrimination. Discriminatory experiences made race more salient for participants. Participants reported feeling hurt, alienated, and confused following discrimination. Implications of findings for social workers counseling Multiracial people and interracial families are discussed.