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Published on: December 15, 2023
Gendered racial microaggressions and stress in PAs who are Black women
Fallon Lotson1, Quinetra S Gathers, A'yana C Gordon
1Fallon Lotson is an assistant professor in the PA program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. At the time this article was written, Quinetra S. Gathers and A'yana C. Gordon were students in the PA program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Allison G. Litton is an assistant professor in the PA program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
Objective:
This mixed-methods study explored whether physician associates/assistants (PAs) who are Black women (for brevity, called Black women PAs throughout this article) experience gendered racial microaggressions and whether these experiences correlated with psychologic distress. The phrase Black women encompasses those who identify with the sociocultural roles, behaviors, and expressions of being a Black woman.
Methods:
We conducted an online survey of Black women PAs using the Gendered Racial Microaggressions Scale during a 2-month period in 2019.
Results:
Black women PAs experienced gendered racial microaggressions in clinical settings. Gendered racial microaggressions were correlated with stress, being silenced and marginalized, and assumptions of beauty and sexual objectification. No correlations were found between stress and the angry Black woman and strong Black woman variables.
Conclusions:
This study revealed that Black women have interlocking forms of oppression related to their race and gender, which are associated with psychologic distress. Awareness of these occurrences can reduce the unknowing perpetuation of gendered racial microaggressions and create cultural awareness practices.
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