Gendered Racial Microaggressions and Self-Silencing Associated with Suicidality Among Black Women Living with HIV

Black women represent the majority of women living with HIV in the USA and their risk for suicide may be linked to the impact of psychosocial stressors experienced at the intersection of race and gender such as gendered racial microaggressions (GRMS) and silencing the self (to maintain harmony). However, little research has been done on the relationship between microaggressions, self-silencing, and suicidality among BWLWH. As part of an intervention development study, 119 BWLWH in the Southeastern USA completed a baseline assessment consisting of a clinical interview (e.g., Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview) to assess suicidality, the gendered-racial microaggressions scale (GRMS), and the Silencing the Self-Scale. Multivariate linear regression analyses controlling for age and education indicated that higher microaggression appraisal scores on the GRMS scale (beta = 2.80, p < .01) was associated with current suicidality and higher self-silencing was associated with current suicidality (beta = 1.05, p < .01) and lifetime suicidality (beta = 1.03, p < .01). Additional analyses that included major depression indicated that self-silencing uniquely contributed to suicidality above and beyond depression. Our findings support the importance of understanding how gender and race specific factors may relate to suicidality. Future research is needed to examine potential moderating factors (e.g., coping strategies) that may be enhanced through interventions and structural changes are needed to decrease acts of microaggressions.

Automated summary

Black women represent the majority of women living with HIV in the USA, and their risk for suicide may be linked to gender and race specific factors such as gendered-racial microaggressions and silencing the self. Research indicates that microaggressions and self-silencing are associated with suicidality, highlighting the importance of interventions and structural changes to decrease acts of microaggressions.