Complexities of Examining Cultural Humility in Research: Gendered Racial Microaggressions Among Filipinx American Women

Background: Examining the negative emotional effect of discrimination among marginalized communities is salient in generating accurate data to promote change. A dearth of measurement tools exists for researchers seeking to examine marginalized communities. Sexual minority Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) experience more racial microaggressions related to their intersectionality, sexual stereotypes, and inferiority than heterosexual APIDA, however a single measurement tool that accurately captures microaggressions among this population does not exist. Validity of the Kessler-10 (K10) and the Gendered Racial Microaggressions Scale for Asian American Women (GRMSAAW) is limited, particularly among the Filipina/x/o population. No identified studies included the GRMSAAW in their research of only Filipina/x/o American women (FAW). Informed by Racial Microaggressions Theory, it was hypothesized a relationship exists between experienced gendered racial microaggressions (GRM) and psychological distress (PD) among FAW, such that higher levels of GRM will increase levels of PD among FAW, while controlling for sexual orientation, generation level, and socioeconomic status.

Methods: Data collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, used Qualtrics to examine a nationwide, cross-generation, age range of FAW. This correlational analysis design study surveyed respondents (n=237) via an online self-administered survey. The survey included a demographic questionnaire (12 questions), the GRMSAAW (44-items and eight subscales), examining the frequency and stress associated with experienced gendered racial microaggressions (independent variables), and the K-10 (10-items) measuring levels of PD (dependent variable) among FAW, while controlling for covariates. Data analysis included Independent Samples t-Tests, correlation, and multiple linear regression statistics using SPSS.

Results: The GRMSAAW Frequency (α = .91; M = 2.83; SD=0.81), GRMSAAW Stress (α = .95; M = 2.95; SD = 1.04), and K10 (α = .91; M = 28.31; SD = 8.35) showed strong reliability, with normal distributions. The relationship between GRMSAAW frequency and GRMSAAW stress and PDs were significantly (p < .01) positive. PD was more strongly correlated with stress associated with experienced GRM (r = .43) than experienced GRM (frequency) (r = .30). Results indicated experienced GRM predicted PD among FAW [F (7, 177) = 4.84, p = 000); VIF = 16.1%]; a positive relationship between stress associated with experienced GRM and PD [F (7, 179) = 9.05, p = 000; VIF = 26.2%]; and FAW who reported more experienced GRM and felt more stress associated with it, reported higher levels of PD [F (8, 175) = 7.39, p = 000; VIF = 25.6%].

Conclusions and implications: FAW’s processing and reaction to GRM, manifested as PD, is most compatible with the concept of racial trauma. Mental healthcare service utilization and replication of this research with the inclusion of racial trauma as a dependent variable, is needed in future research. The development and application of culturally responsive evidence-based interventions are needed to promote collaboration and improve mental health services, including strategies for addressing the underutilization of mental health services among FAW and other minoritized communities. Social work advocacy is needed to develop and strengthen existing policies in the provision of mental health services and reinforce policies addressing increased racial hate crimes targeting the APIDA community.