| This study examined the relationships among the experience of microaggressions, psychological well-being, and spiritual transcendence among professional African American women. Through the adaptation of the biopsychosocial model of perceived racism (Clark, Anderson, Clark, & Williams, 1999), this study addressed the intersectionality of stressors related to gender and race in African American women. Most studies do not account for the intragroup differences among African American populations who hold multiple identities. Consequently, quantitative studies on the intersectionality of the experiences of African American professional women have rarely been conducted in relation to their experience with gender and race-related stressors simultaneously. This study addressed these gaps by quantitatively exploring (a) the influence of microaggressions on their psychological well-being and (b) the moderating role of spiritual transcendence as a coping factor. Seventy-three self-identified African American, professional women were included in the sample. As hypothesized, workplace microaggressions were found to have a negative impact on psychological well-being. Contrary to hypothesis, assumptions of inferiority microaggressions did not significantly predict psychological well-being. In addition, spiritual transcendence did not have a moderating effect. Implications of the study suggest that as professional, African American women experience microaggressions within the workplace, their psychological well-being is negatively affected. However, professional African American women may not have a similar psychological impact for other types of microaggressions. Furthermore, spirituality did not have the variance needed to function as a moderating variable on microaggressions and psychological well-being. Recommendations for future research are discussed. |
