Research Symposium

BIO

Greetings, my name is Schleiden Saint-Jean a 2nd year majoring in biological sciences on the pre-medical track. I was born in haiti and grew up in Miami Florida, my hobbies are gym and photography

Examining Hope, Racial Microaggressions, and Anxiety in Black Students attending Predominantly White Institutions

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between hope, racial microaggressions, and anxiety among Black students attending Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). Drawing from a sample of 95 Black-identifying college students aged 18–25 across the state of Florida, we employed a cross-sectional and correlational design using self-report measures: the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42), the School-Based Racial and Ethnic Microaggressions Scale (SB-REMS), and the Adult Hope Scale (AHS). Results revealed a significant positive correlation between racial microaggressions and anxiety (r = .583, p < .01), suggesting that increased experiences of racial microaggressions are associated with higher levels of anxiety. However, hope did not demonstrate a statistically significant moderating or direct relationship with either racial microaggressions or anxiety. These findings align with existing literature that supports a significant positive association between anxiety and racial microaggressions. While preliminary, this research highlights the urgent need for further investigation into protective psychological factors and interventions that may buffer the mental health consequences of racial microaggressions experienced by Black students in PWI settings. Future studies should incorporate larger, more diverse samples and consider additional covariates such as ethnicity, gender identity, and first-generation status to deepen the understanding of these complex dynamics.

Keywords: Racial Microaggressions, Anxiety, Hope, Black Students, PWIs