Exploring The Impact of Socialization on the Psychological Well-Being of Black Emerging Adult Women

Gendered racial socialization is an aspect of development that takes place throughout the life cycle. Gendered-racial socialization plays a key role in shaping the psychological well-being of Black Emerging Adult Women (BEAW) by influencing identity development, coping mechanisms, and mental health outcomes (Szymanski & Lewis, 2016). This study examines the interaction between gendered racial socialization and the cultural script of the Strong Black Woman (SBW) stereotype, the Angry Black Woman stereotype, silence and marginalization, and beauty and sexual objectification, to assess their impact on psychological well-being. Using the Phenomenological Variant of Ecological Systems Theory (PVEST) and Intersectionality as research frameworks, this study explores how societal expectations and internalized messages about race and gender contribute to stress, anxiety, and resilience. Findings suggest that while gendered racial socialization can serve as both a protective and risk factor, the cultural scripts examined do not consistently moderate the relationship between gendered racial socialization messages and psychological well-being. Instead, factors such as faith and spirituality, and racial pride, and empowerment, play a significant role in shaping mental health outcomes.

Author

• Hickman, Danielle Curtis

Language

• en

Keyword

• Black Women
• Socialization
• Gendered Racial Socialization
• Emerging Adults

Date created

• 2025

Type of Work

• Dissertation

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• Counseling

Degree

• Ph.D.

Advisor

• Parker, Maggie

Committee Member(s)

• Quayson, Alicia
• Das, Bagmi
• Froehlich, Robert
• DeRaedt, Mary

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/6w924c650