Research_Proposal_on_Understanding_the_Psychological_Impacts_of_Racism_and_Discrimination.edited

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1 Research Proposal on Understanding the Psychological Impacts of Racism and Discrimination Roger Campbell Grand Canyon University Psychology 452 Leslie Sherlin October 23, 2023

2 Introduction Racism and discrimination represent deeply entrenched societal problems that transcend borders and cultures. Beyond their conspicuous manifestations, their insidious psychological ramifications on individuals carry profound implications. This research proposal delves into the intricate and often hidden psychological consequences of racism and discrimination. In order to understand the complexity of the situation, our purpose is to address this issue through the creation of research questions, the selection of the key variables, operational definitions, and the establishment of hypotheses. This way, we will gain a better insight into these issues and how they impact people’s welfare in order to create appropriate solutions for them. Research Questions 1. How does the experience of racial discrimination affect mental health and well-being in individuals? 2. What coping mechanisms are used by individuals to mitigate the negative psychological impacts of racism and discrimination? 3. Do the psychological effects of racism and discrimination differ based on factors like age, gender, and socioeconomic status? 4. How does witnessing racial discrimination, even if not directly experienced, influence an individual's psychological state? 5. To what extent does institutional racism contribute to long-term psychological distress? These research questions serve as the foundation for our inquiry, allowing us to investigate the multifaceted nature of the psychological impacts of racism and discrimination.

3 Key Variables and Operational Definitions A. Independent Variables Experience of racial discrimination: The experience of racial discrimination will be measured by the frequency and severity of direct encounters with racism and discrimination, using a scale from 1 (none) to 5 (severe). Witnessing racial discrimination: Witnessing racial discrimination involves observing acts of discrimination against one's racial or ethnic group, measured on a scale from 1 (rarely) to 5 (frequently). Institutional racism: Institutional racism is represented by a composite score reflecting an individual's perception of systemic racism within various institutions (e.g., education, criminal justice), measured on a scale from 1 (no perception) to 5 (strong perception). B. Dependent Variable Psychological well-being: Psychological well-being will be assessed using established psychological well-being scales such as the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Hypothesis There will be a significant negative correlation between experiences of racial discrimination and psychological well-being. Those experiencing higher levels of racial

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4 discrimination will exhibit poorer psychological well-being. The use of coping mechanisms, like seeking social support and engaging in self-affirmation, will mediate this relationship; those employing coping strategies effectively will have fewer negative psychological impacts, thus weakening the direct link between discrimination and distress. Demographic factors like age, gender, and socioeconomic status will moderate the relationship between racism and psychological distress. More vulnerable groups, including younger individuals, women, and those with lower socioeconomic status, will undergo stronger negative impacts on well-being when exposed to discrimination. Conversely, factors like older age, male gender, and higher socioeconomic status may protect against the psychological impacts. A higher perception of institutional racism will be associated positively with long-term psychological distress. Essentially, those perceiving more prevalent systemic racism will be more likely to experience chronic psychological distress. The Impact of Racism and Discrimination on Psychological Well-being Experiencing racial discrimination can have severe consequences for an individual's mental health and overall well-being. Studies have consistently shown that individuals who face discrimination based on their race or ethnicity are at greater risk of developing mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders. Matthews & López (2020) state that the constant stressors associated with discrimination can lead to a state of chronic psychological distress, affecting one's quality of life. Furthermore, racism's psychological impacts extend beyond direct targets. Witnessing discrimination against one's racial/ethnic group can detrimentally affect well-being, known as

5 vicarious racism. Observing such acts can elicit feelings of anger, helplessness, and distress, showing the interconnected nature of racism's harms. Coping Mechanisms To mitigate the negative psychological impacts of racism, targeted individuals often develop coping mechanisms for building resilience. Seeking social support and connection with others who understand the distress proves crucial for mental health (Jacob et al., 2023). Finding empathy, validation, and comfort from friends, family, and community can buffer against isolation and despair. Practicing self-affirmation also helps preserve self-worth by focusing on positive sources of identity, cultural pride, and personal achievements. This counters the devaluation of racism. Additionally, proactive coping strategies like becoming involved in activism or finding purpose in resisting injustice help regain a sense of control and hope against oppression's helplessness. Demographic Factors and Moderation Individual factors like age, gender, and socioeconomic status significantly affect how racism psychologically harms its victims. Younger people with less life experience tend to have fewer coping skills to manage racism's daily stresses, making them more vulnerable. Women and minorities with lower socioeconomic status also face compounding struggles at the intersection of multiple forms of disadvantage, which accumulates greater distress (Cho et al., 2021). In contrast, older individuals have often developed more wisdom and resilience strategies to withstand racism's injuries. Men and those with higher socioeconomic status have access to more buffers of privilege against direct racist attacks. Overall, these intersecting demographics

6 critically determine whether someone will exhibit resilience or susceptibility to the psychological trauma of racism. Institutional Racism and Long-term Psychological Distress A pervasive form of racism's harm is through societal institutions. When systemic racism is embedded within structures like education, healthcare, and criminal justice, it inflicts an insidious psychological toll (Rose et al., 2020). The persistent devaluation and exclusion marginalized groups experience erode well-being over time. Chronic stress physiology activates alongside a sense of uncontrollability, helplessness, and despair. This constant institutional betrayal traumatizes the psyche through repeatedly dashed expectations of fairness, protection, and opportunity. Victims are left vigilant for the next wound, compounding anxieties and despair. Unlike individual acts of racism, fighting institutional racism can seem intangible and hopeless, leading to depressive withdrawals and disengagement. This accumulation of stresses inflicted by unjust systems causes lasting scars for generations. Conclusion Understanding the psychological impacts of racism and discrimination is crucial for addressing these pervasive issues and associated consequences. The research questions, variables, definitions, and hypotheses presented serve as a foundation for further exploration of this critical area. Racism and discrimination profoundly affect the psychological well-being of individuals and communities, impacting mental health, social well-being, and quality of life. Coping mechanisms, demographics, and institutional racism further shape the complexity. Continued study, awareness, and strategy development are essential to build resilience and foster well-being in facing adversity caused by racism and discrimination.

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7 References Cho, Y. J., Lee, W. J., Oh, H., Lee, J. O., Kim, B. K. E., & Jang, Y. (2021). Perceived racial discrimination and mental health in diverse groups of Asian Americans: the differing impacts by age, education, and ethnicity. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health , 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-021-01271-y Jacob, G., Faber, S. C., Faber, N., Bartlett, A., Ouimet, A. J., & Williams, M. T. (2023). A systematic review of Black People coping with racism: Approaches, analysis, and empowerment. Perspectives on Psychological Science , 18 (2), 392-415. https://doi.org/10.1177/17456916221100509 Matthews, J. S., & López, F. (2020). Race-reimaging educational psychology research: Investigating constructs through the lens of race and culture. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 61, 101878. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.101878 Rose, N., Manning, N., Bentall, R., Bhui, K., Burgess, R., Carr, S., ... & Sheard, S. (2020). The social underpinnings of mental distress in the time of COVID-19–time for urgent action. Wellcome open research , 5 . https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7411522/

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