You do not have to cope alone: Addressing the social support needs of targets of racial biases

Lisa K Hanasono, Purdue University

Abstract

Racism remains a serious and pervasive problem in today's society. Ranging from subtle to overly hostile acts, racially biased behaviors can harm targets' physical, psychological, and relational well-being. Although a growing body of research has begun to investigate how targets individually respond to and cope with racism, scholars have yet to examine the ways that social support from friends and family members can facilitate more effective interpersonal coping for racial minority members. This dissertation develops and tests a model that (a) augments our understanding of targets' experiences with acts of interpersonal racial discrimination, corresponding support needs, and coping behaviors and (b) explains how supportive communication can help targets engage in more effective emotion-focused and problem-focused coping. Synthesizing the literatures on stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, and social support, this project explores racial minority members' diverse experiences as targets of racial biases, support needs, received support, coping behaviors, and well-being. A pilot study was initially completed to establish the reliability of several new measures, adapted instruments, and a unique coding scheme. Utilizing a secure online survey, racial minority students at a large Midwestern University were asked to recall, describe, and assess a specific instance in which they believed they were the targets of racial bias. They also completed instruments on their support needs, received support, and coping strategies. Finally, the participants completed several instruments pertaining to individual, relational, and situational factors. The findings from the pilot study and dissertation study synthesize and extend the scope of Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) cognitive appraisal theory, Cutrona and Russell's (1990) optimal matching theory, Burleson's (1985; 1994) notion of person-centered comforting messages, and Brown and Levinson's (1987) politeness theory. Moreover, it provides valuable information about targets' actual experiences with and responses to interpersonal racial discrimination and specifies their support needs in relation to certain situational, individual, and relational factors. The results, implications, and directions for future research are provided.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Wilson, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Social psychology|Communication

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