Navigating the Dichotomy: Understanding the Impact of Racism on Self-Esteem and the Path to Psychological Healing

By Saliqa

Saliqa is a member of the CAP2030 Youth Advisory Board, and by extention, a member of the Lancet Commission on racism and child health's Advisory Board. At 16 years old, she is an active and dedicated volunteer who believes in the power of collective action of youth, a youth ambassador for 1MYAC and a delegate of ferMUN. She is a self-taught dancer who regularly seeks new choreographic challenges.

Racism penetrates every aspect of society and has damaging impacts on individuals’ self-esteem, and psychological well-being. Self-esteem is the belief in one's worth and value, which is significantly affected by racism. However, people often show resilience and agency when facing racial adversity. This commentary explores how racism impacts one's self-esteem both positively and negatively and the subsequent process of psychological healing. Drawing on academic sources and research, it investigates the mechanisms involved and strategies to enhance psychological well-being in the context of racism.

Race, despite being a social construct devoid of clear biological divisions, bears significant social and cultural implications, profoundly shaping individuals' identities and experiences. Racism is recognised to increase risk of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as highlighted by the findings of Pascoe and Smart Richman in 2009. This investigation exposed potential pathways by which perceived discrimination might influence health outcomes and showed there to be increased stress responses and unhealthy behaviours in those who perceived discrimination.

Notably, individuals subjected to racism often encounter intersecting forms of discrimination based on factors such as gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or immigration status. Intersectionality, as highlighted by Crenshaw's work in 1989, exacerbates the negative impact on their self-esteem. This multi-layered oppression and marginalisation lead to profound feelings of ineptitude and inadequacy as individuals grapple with reconciling their multiple identities within a society that marginalises them on various fronts.

Nevertheless, amidst the adversity of racism, individuals exhibit remarkable resilience and coping strategies to mitigate its adverse effects on self-esteem. Coping mechanisms, encompassing cognitive and behavioural strategies, emerge as vital tools in navigating racial adversity. Cultural affirmation, ethnic identity, and self-efficacy are crucial factors in combating the psychological burden of racism.

By embracing their cultural background and confirming their identity, individuals can combat the messages of inferiority propagated by racism, leading to a profound sense of belonging and empowerment. Phinney's research in "The Multi group Ethnic Identity Measure: A New Scale for Use with Diverse Groups" (1992) introduces a comprehensive tool for evaluating ethnic identity across various cultural backgrounds. This scale not only captures the multifaceted dimensions of belongingness and identification within one's cultural group but also sheds light on the deep impact of ethnic identity on individuals’ self-esteem and psychological well-being, particularly among marginalised communities. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for health initiatives and racial socialisation, improving tailored interventions. By recognising the complexities and intricacies of identities, interventions can better address the diverse needs of marginalised communities, promoting mental well-being. Phinney's findings suggest that a strong ethnic identity serves as a powerful shield against the adverse effects of racism by fostering resilience and a sense of pride in one's heritage.

Similarly, Bandura's theory of self-efficacy illuminates how individuals' beliefs in their own capabilities and skills frame their resilience in the face of adversity. High self-efficacy empowers individuals. It guides individuals to view setbacks as opportunities for growth, set ambitious goals, and persist in the pursuit of success. Whereas, low self-efficacy leads to avoidance of challenges and increased vulnerability to stress. Bandura's studies show that self-efficacy impacts how people think, stay motivated, feel, and make choices. This underlines its critical role in empowering individuals to challenge discriminatory beliefs and behaviours and advocate for change in the fight against racism (Bandura, 1994).

Psychological healing from the trauma of racism is multifaceted and calls for a personalised approach. Specifically aimed at restoring self-esteem and promoting resilience. Culturally informed interventions, for instance, Race-Based Stress and Trauma interventions (RBST) offer a supportive environment. They assist individuals to process their experiences, challenge internalised beliefs and develop coping skills. Additionally, empowerment-based approaches focus on self-control and seeking justice and equip individuals with the tools to navigate racism confidently. By addressing the systemic roots of racism, encompassing institutional and structural biases embedded in society, and providing tailored support to individuals, clinicians and communities can facilitate the healing process and promote psychological well-being.

Through dealing with racism, some individuals emerge not scarred but empowered by finding strength and self-discovery in their differences. Confronting racism requires a journey through the complexities of emotions, where one's uniqueness is both feared and revered. Embracing cultural heritage and affirming identity are powerful antidotes against racism's attempts to instil feelings of inferiority, fostering a deep sense of belonging and empowerment. Discriminatory denials of opportunities stem from a fear of diversity in positions of power, yet individuals can overcome this fear through a mindset of continuous self-improvement and resilience. Striving for excellence amid adversity demonstrates skills and challenges societal norms, harbouring a resilience that fuels perseverance and a thirst of excellence.

Understanding the nuances of racism entails confronting its detrimental effects on self-esteem while nurturing resilience and personal growth. When acknowledging race as a social construct and embracing cultural diversity, it empowers individuals to confront racism with fortitude and tenacity. This discussion underscores the significance of systemic responses to racism and the cultivation of resilience in adversity. Through interventions informed by self-searching and self-empowerment, individuals embark on a path of psychological healing, reclaiming their sense of self-worth and well-being.

References: 

Pascoe, Elizabeth A., and Laura Smart Richman. "Perceived Discrimination and Health: A Meta-Analytic Review." Psychological Bulletin, vol. 135, no. 4, 2009, pp. 531–554.

Crenshaw, Kimberlé Williams. "Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics." University of Chicago Legal Forum, vol. 1989, no. 1, 1989, pp. 139–167.

Phinney, Jean S. "The Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure: A New Scale for Use with Diverse Groups." Journal of Adolescent Research, vol. 7, no. 2, 1992, pp. 156–176.

Bandura, Albert. "Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control." W.H. Freeman and Company, 1994.