Gendered racial microaggressions, internalized racism, and suicidal ideation among emerging adult Asian American women

Abstract

Background: Despite suicide being the leading cause of death among emerging adult Asian American women (AAW), little is known about the risk factors. Aim: We tested whether gendered racial microaggressions stress (GRMS) would be associated with AAW’s suicidal ideation, and whether internalized racism (self-negativity, IRSN; weakness stereotypes, IRWS; and appearance bias, IRAB) would exacerbate this link based on self-devaluating implications of internalized racism. Method: Using a sample of 309 AAW ( Mage = 20.00, SD = 6.26), we conducted a moderated logistic regression with GRMS predicting suicidal ideation (endorsement or no endorsement) and the three internalized racism factors (IRSN, IRWS, and IRAB) as moderators. Results: GRMS significantly predicted suicidal ideation with a threefold increase in the odds of suicidal ideation. Only IRSN significantly exacerbated this link at low to mean levels. Conclusion: Gendered racial microaggressions is likely a risk factor for suicidal ideation among AAW, particularly for those who internalize negative images of themselves as Asian individuals.

Online Racism, Rumination, and Vigilance: Impact on Distress, Loneliness, and Alcohol Use

“…It is likely that certain subtypes of rumination may contribute to the differences in the risk of rumination and vigilance associated with online racism. Examining gender and sexual orientation differences or employing intersectional measures of online oppression can also shed light on how this anticipatory pathway may differ or worsen for racial minority individuals who hold other marginalized identities (e.g., racial minority women) in addition to race (Keum et al, 2022). Future studies should also identify mediators and moderators of this pathway such as social support and organizational advocacy initiatives that can inform intervention development to mitigate the harmful costs of online racism at multiple levels (e.g., individual- or group-level).…”

Congruence and discrepancy in Asian American women's perception and stress appraisal of gendered racial microaggressions: Relationships with depressive symptoms and internalized racism

“…Previous studies have noted the importance of examining the role of internalized racism among Asian Americans, particularly as it may lead to the belief in harmful racist stereotypes and acceptance of one's racial inferiority that can lead to worse mental health ( 9 , 35 ). Yet, few studies have examined the role of internalized racism among Asian American women that encounter GRM ( 7 ). Hence, the current study sought to assess whether AAW who report greater congruence between GRM frequency and appraised stress are more likely to experience higher internalized racism.…”

“…In particular, those who harbor high levels of internalized racism may be instilling beliefs that reinforces Asian inferiority and disavowal of the reality of White supremacist oppression. This may be a complex state of survival by succumbing to the dominant group and the oppressive narrative but one that can lead to self-destructive implications given the self-negativity and -erasure [e.g., suicide ideation; ( 7 )]. Conversations and advocacy around this issue must occur in tandem with a critical evaluation of assimilationist and internalized Whiteness ideals in Asian American communities, as well as the White dominant society that continues to reinforce systems of oppression against AAW ( 52 ).…”

“…In particular, these stereotypes have historically rendered AAW as subservient objects of sexual fetishization (“yellow fever”) among White men ( 5 , 6 ) and have placed them at great risk for potential sexual and dating violence, as well as physical assault. Given the pernicious and chronic manifestation of microaggressions in the daily lives of racial minority individuals, emerging literature suggests that GRM is linked to a host of mental health issues including depressive symptoms and suicide ideation among AAW ( 4 , 7 ).…”

“…A growing body of evidence links the experience of GRM, subtle everyday instances of discrimination that denigrate individuals based on their intersecting gender and racial identities, with negative mental health outcomes such as depressive symptoms ( 4 , 7 , 11 , 12 ). Mukkamala and Suyemoto ( 13 ) used a multimethod qualitative approach to capture the overlapping oppressions that AAW experience, highlighting themes of being seen as exotic, not a leader, submissive and passive, cute and small, invisible, and as a service worker.…”