SHADES OF WELLNESS: AN EXAMINATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GENDERED RACISM, RACE-RELATED STRESS, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND HOLISTIC WELLNESS IN THE LIVES OF BLACK WOMEN

In the United States, Black women often face a number of disparities due to historical systems of oppression, social determinants of health and intersecting aspects related to gender and race (Lewis et al., 2016; Thomas et al., 2011; Spates et al., 2020). These factors may affect aspects of physical, mental and spiritual health, thus impacting overall quality of life and wellness outcomes. Wellness is defined as an integrated multidimensional construct (Myers & Sweeney, 2000). Tenets of the theory of intersectionality also apply an integrated framework addressing the unique contributions of intersected identities in the lives of Black women (Crenshaw, 1999). Many bodies of work outline the detrimental effects of systematic oppression and institutional racism on specific aspects of mental health, health and well-being of minoritized populations. However, there is little research focusing on the intersectional experiences of Black women in relation to gendered racism, race-related stress socioeconomic status (SES) and its impacts on total wellness factors. In this study, a non-experimental correlational research design was used with a standard multiple regression to explore relationships between gendered racism, race-related stress, SES and wellness scores amongst Black women. A total of 471women across the U.S. completed an online survey consisting of a demographic questionnaire and three measurements: The Gendered Racial Microaggression Scale for Black Women, Index of Race-Related Stress-Brief and the Five Factor Wellness Inventory. A standard multiple regression analysis indicated that more gendered racial microaggression on certain domains (Assumption of Beauty and Sexual Objectification, Silenced and Marginalized, Angry Black Woman) were associated with higher wellness scores, but other domains (Strong Black Woman) were not. Additionally, higher scores on race-related stress and the lowest SES status group were associated with lower overall wellness scores. Findings from this study highlight the need and importance of examining the intersections of race and gender and their impacts on the lived experiences, health and wellbeing of Black women. Recommendations for future research are provided along with implications for counseling practice and instruction.