Trauma, microaggressions are focus of BW faculty-student research

Under the research guidance of two psychology professors, five BW students are studying whether racial trauma and gendered racial microaggressions can contribute to eating disorders among Black women.

The year-long study is being funded through a grant awarded to BW from Psi Chi, an international honor society that seeks to advance the science of psychology.

Research aimed at bridging a gap

Taylor Murphy '27, of Olmsted Falls, Ohio, is among the students involved with the research. The psychology major believes the topic offers important considerations relating to social justice and awareness.

"For this research project, we are interested in learning whether discrimination, various stressors, and stereotypes related to race and gender impact eating behaviors," she explained. "We are also looking at how different coping strategies and coping self-efficacy play into this relationship.

"Through the use of surveys and established psychological measures, this study aims to better understand the impact of social stressors on mental and physical health while also introducing culturally appropriate mental health information in literature where Black women are underrepresented," she added.

"This topic offers essential insight into how racial trauma and gendered racial microaggressions can impact both mental and physical health, areas that are commonly overlooked in existing research," said Murphy.

"By focusing on the sensitive experiences of Black women, this research helps bridge a gap in existing literature that supports an inclusive and culturally informed view of mental health. Ultimately, it has the potential to improve awareness, refine interventions and support individuals negatively affected by such stressors," she stated.

Opportunity to grow personally, professionally

Like Murphy, Brianna Lengyel '27, of Wooster, Ohio, believes the study provides valuable insight into a topic where information is lacking. Lengyel is a psychology major and political science minor interested in social justice.

Beyond the importance of the topic itself, Lengyel has found that the actual experience of being part of a group research project has provided its own enhanced learning opportunity.

"I joined this project as a way to improve my research abilities and grow as a person. This research group has given me a great idea of what being a part of a collaborative group is like. I have learned to speak up, to ask my own questions and to grow in my own thought processes," remarked Lengyel.

"We each have our own parts to complete. Knowing that others are counting on me to do my own work is a great motivator. It has also shown me that working with others gives so much more room for ideas and concepts to be developed in ways that may not have happened if I, or someone else, had been working alone," she added.

Project with real-world implications

The five students presented their research at the Psi Chi convention in April. For Lengyel and Murphy, the experience is the culmination of what they learned as a group and individually.

"Personally, I have been able to increase my understanding of social and cultural factors that affect the mental health of individuals who are a part of marginalized populations," explained Murphy.

"At the professional level, I have greatly strengthened my research skills with a project that has real-world implications, as well as gained more experience with collaborative opportunities that require critical thinking," stated Murphy.

Grants support BW research

In August, BW was named a recipient of a Psi Chi grant for this research project. The principal investigators and professors who submitted the grant and mentored the students were Drs. David DiSabato and Deb Esty of the psychology department.

Research opportunities are an essential part of BW's student-focused learning experiences. Each year, students across campus conduct research as a way to build valuable skills that prepare them for graduate school and career success.

Grant-funded research supports the BW mission by providing funds that can help students have outstanding learning experiences.