City Research Online

Abstract

A critical literature review on racial microaggression literature revealed an evident knowledge gap. Racial microaggression literature originating in the U.K. was limited, especially that which examined experiences of British Asians. While the academic literature fails to provide an in-depth account of individuals’ experiential realities it demonstrates the importance of studying racial microaggressions. Therefore, the current study aimed to expand the current literature base by exploring British Asian experiences of racial microaggressions using a phenomenological approach. Eight participants were recruited through volunteer sampling and were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The study aimed to gain better insight into their experiences. Hence, interview questions inquired about the experiences of racial microaggressions they have encountered, how the encounters impacted them mentally, physically, and/or psychologically, how they dealt with the encounter and its effects. The interview transcripts were analysed using an interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA). The analysis rendered three superordinate themes. Superordinate theme one ‘Racial microaggression experiences’ looked at the nature of racial microaggression experiences described by participants and consisted of the following subthemes: Direct racial microaggression experiences, indirect racial microaggression experiences and environmental racial microaggressions. The next superordinate theme ‘Reactions to racial microaggressions’ encompassed the following subthemes: Attempting to make sense of experiences, acceptance, and confrontation and action. The third superordinate theme ‘Impact of racial microaggressions’ includes these subthemes: Emotional experience, impacts on identity, personality, and self-image, impact on professional and personal life, and learning opportunity and self-development.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Departments:	Doctoral Theses School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Psychology School of Health & Psychological Sciences > School of Health & Psychological Sciences Doctoral Theses

Export

Downloads