Publication Date

2014

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

Racially mixed people-Race identity, Racially mixed people-Psychology, Racism-United States, Life skills, Defense mechanisms (Psychology), Self-perception, Internalized racism, Multiracial identity formation, Critical race theory, Microaggressions, Coping skills, Defense mechanisms, Self-concept, Qualitative

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study is to give clinicians, researchers, and educator's insight into the multiracial experience. It is the hope of this study to give readers a greater understanding of the ways internalized racism manifest for multiracial individuals. The goal of the literature review is to illuminate past, current and potential further research, which would be useful tools for psychodynamic practice and clinical skill building for clinicians working with multiracial individuals. A total of ten selfidentified multiracial adults participated in this qualitative study that utilized semistructured open-ended questions. These questions were used to explore the unique experiences of each multiracial/biracial individual. The questions explored the various aspects of the intersectionality between internalized racism, coping skills and selfconcept. Results found that multiracial individual's self-concept is affected by internalized racism and that all of the participants were able to use coping skills to assist in their self-reflection and multiracial identity formation and growth. The limitations and implications of this study suggest that there is a need for further study on this specific population and topic. This study represented each participant individually; giving the participants an opportunity to share their experiences of multiracial identity formation and experiences of racism and internalized racism as a multiracial adult.

Language

English

Comments

iii, 67 pages. Thesis (M.S.W.)-Smith College School for Social Work, 2014. Includes bibliographical references (pages 50-60)

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