Burdens of the what-if: Vicarious anti-Black racism and stress for Black mothers

1Citations
Citations of this article
8Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

Objective: Through qualitative in-depth interviews with Black mothers, this study explores the role of their children's experiences of anti-Black racism on their own perceived stress—that is, vicarious racism-related stress. Background: Racism is a system of inequality impeding the health and well-being of Black families. Specifically, because of the interconnected nature of mother–child relationships, vicarious racism is a pathway for Black maternal stress. This study examines two broad research questions: (1) How do mothers articulate the stress suffered due to their children's experiences of anti-Black racism? (2) How are mothers perceiving this stress shaping their mental, emotional, and physical well-being?. Method: This study utilized qualitative in-depth interviews with 35 Black mothers of children in adolescence and emerging/young adulthood. Results: Mothers in this study discussed thinking about their children's experiences of racism often or daily, an experience defined in this study as hyperawareness. Hyperawareness was the primary source of vicarious racism-related stress for mothers, through either their children's actualized experiences via rumination or anticipated experiences via hypervigilance. Regardless of whether the experience was actual or anticipated, mothers identified the stress suffered shaping their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Conclusion: Through a Black feminist lens, this article reveals how Black mothers distinctly identify what vicarious experiences of racism are, and how they generate stress within their familial context. This study extends previous family, race, and well-being scholarship by exploring various forms of racism that may be contributing to Black maternal health and well-being.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Brantley, M. (2023). Burdens of the what-if: Vicarious anti-Black racism and stress for Black mothers. Journal of Marriage and Family, 85(4), 941–961. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12914

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free