Document Type

Honors Thesis

Major

Psychology

Advisor(s)

Shannon McCoy

Committee Members

Cynthia Erdley, Patty Goodhines, Margaret Killinger

Graduation Year

May 2024

Publication Date

Spring 5-2024

Abstract

The study’s purpose was to assess sexism’s impact on women’s wellbeing based on the Rejection-Identification Model (Branscombe et al., 1999), in which perceived prejudice increases group identification, which in turn buffers the negative consequences of prejudice on wellbeing. Surveys were administered via Qualtrics. Using PROCESS analyses in SPSS, Study 1 (n = 1,083) investigated whether or not these relationships between prejudice, group identification, and wellbeing were moderated by feminist identity (Model 59; Hayes, 2018). Results showed that while women higher in feminist identity do experience greater depression in response to perceived prejudice, they also have a significantly stronger relationship between group identification and well-being -- providing a buffer on the effects of prejudice via group identification. Study 2 (n = 760) analyzed a similar model (Model 89; Hayes, 2018) which integrated collective action -- which is collaborating with others to address the issue of prejudice. Results showed that the relationship between personal prejudice (perceptions of prejudice towards oneself personally) and group identification is not moderated -- meaning perceptions of personal sexism may hurt all women similarly. In response to group prejudice, the indirect effect of collective action was significant for both women higher and lower in feminist identity. These results suggest collective action may be a useful tool for protecting women’s wellbeing in the face of prejudice. Study 1 suggests women lower in feminist identity may experience less impact of prejudice on well being initially -- but without the protective benefits of group identification. Study 2’s results demonstrate collective action against prejudice may provide longer-term rewards by buffering the effects of prejudice on women’s wellbeing, as well as addressing the pervasiveness of sexism.

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