Exploring the Role of Family Emotional Climate and Trait Mindfulness on Gendered Racism and Anxiety Among African American Women

The purpose of this study was to explore the associations between gendered racial microaggressions (i.e., the intersection of subtle forms of racism and sexism), family emotional climate, partner emotional climate, trait mindfulness, and anxiety among Black women. The study tested two separate models to investigate family emotional climate and partner emotional climate as mediators of the link between gendered racial microaggressions and anxiety. Two moderated mediation models were also tested; specifically, trait mindfulness was examined as a moderator of the indirect associations of gendered racial microaggressions on anxiety through family emotional climate and partner emotional climate, respectively. Participants were Black adult women (N = 241) who completed an online survey. Results indicated family support (but not family strain nor partner support or strain) was a significant mediator; greater frequency of gendered racial microaggressions were associated with less family support which, in turn was associated with greater anxiety symptoms. Trait mindfulness was a significant moderator of the direct association between gendered racial microaggressions and anxiety. Higher levels of mindfulness weakened the association between gendered racial microaggressions and anxiety. The findings underscore the roles of family support and mindfulness as potential interventions for Black women navigating experiences of gendered racial microaggressions.