Black and White Multiracial Adult Womens' Experience of Their Physical Appearance

103 Pages·2017·0.64 MB·English

Antioch University
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Dissertations & Theses
Dissertations & Theses
2016
Black and White Multiracial Adult Womens'
Experience of Their Physical Appearance: A
Qualitative Descriptive Phenomenological
Analysis
Vanessa Geissler
Antioch University Seattle
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Recommended Citation
Geissler, Vanessa, "Black and White Multiracial Adult Womens' Experience of Their Physical Appearance: A Qualitative Descriptive
Phenomenological Analysis" (2016).Dissertations & Theses. 325.
http://aura.antioch.edu/etds/325
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Black and White Multiracial Adult Women’s Experience of Their Physical Appearance:
A Qualitative Descriptive Phenomenological Analysis

A Dissertation

Presented to the Faculty of
Antioch University Seattle
Seattle, WA

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements of the Degree
Doctor of Psychology

By
Vanessa Geissler
October 2016
Black and White Multiracial Adult Women’s Experience of Their Physical Appearance:
A Qualitative Descriptive Phenomenological Analysis

This dissertation, by Vanessa Geissler, has
been approved by the committee members signed below
who recommend that it be accepted by the faculty of the
Antioch University Seattle at Seattle, WA in partial fulfillment
of requirements for the degree of

DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY

Dissertation Committee:

________________________
Jude Bergkamp, Psy.D.
Chairperson

________________________
William Heusler, Psy.D.

________________________
Carla Bradshaw, Ph.D.

________________________
Date

ii
© Copyright by Vanessa Geissler, 2016
All Rights Reserved

iii
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ABSTRACT
BLACK AND WHITE MULTIRACIAL ADULT WOMEN’S EXPERIENCE OF
THEIR PHYSICAL APPEARANCE:
A QUALITATIVE DESCRIPTIVE PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
Vanessa Geissler
Antioch University Seattle
Seattle, WA

According to the 2010 United States Census 1.8 million people self-identified as
multiracial Black, and of that 1.8 million, 45% self-identified as Black and White.
Multiracial individuals are a growing population in the United States, and by year 2050
an estimated 21% of the entire population will be multiracial. Irrespective of these
statistics, research among this population is limited. Further research is warranted
because existing literature has identified an increased emphasis on multiracial
individual’s physical appearance. Questions such as, “What are you?” or labels such as
exotic, beautiful, fascinating, or other, are a few examples of how this population is
positively and negatively objectified. However, the psychological impact these
interactions may exert on the development of body esteem is not very well researched.
An understanding of this phenomenon is useful to mental health professionals because it
will increase their cultural competence. Increasing cultural competence is exceptionally
important because it assists the professional in acknowledging and validating experiences
unique to multiracial individuals, becoming aware of the descriptive labels used, and
assumptions made about this population as a whole. Being aware of this information will
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provide them the foundation to engage in meaningful discussions about the socially
constructed challenges that multiracial individuals face, and help them avoid perpetuating
preconceptions and misconceptions about this population. Therefore, the purpose of this
study is to assist in filling the knowledge gap of the unknown experience of body image
among multiracial Black and White young adult women. This phenomenological study
was conducted to provide an in-depth description of how six self-identified multiracial
Black and White women between 18 and 30 years old living in the Pacific Northwest
experienced their physical appearance. The researcher utilized a descriptive
phenomenological method of data analysis. The findings of this study yielded three
overarching themes: sociopolitical, intrapersonal, and interpersonal influences, with 12
constituents identified: am I exotic?, ambiguous hair texture, dealing with my hair, does a
biracial beauty standard exist?, feeling marginal, love/hate relationship with physical
features, physical features I want to change, race and physical appearance in America,
racially categorized by others, unearned power and privilege, other vs. self-identification,
and unique insights of Black/White biracial participants on societal beauty. Based on
these findings, this researcher identified experiences of marginalization, isolation,
disconnection from peers and family, and racial self-identity issues. The electronic
version of this dissertation is at AURA: Antioch University Repository and Archive,
http://aura.antioch.edu/ and OhioLINK ETD Center, http://etd.ohiolink.edu
Dedication
I dedicate this work to the six women who participated in this study. Because of you, this
research was possible. Your experiences will remain as a reminder to me to continue
pursuing research in this area.
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
Mahatma Gandhi

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Acknowledgements
First, I would like to thank my chairperson, Dr. Jude Bergkamp, and committee
members Dr. Carla Bradshaw and Dr. William Heusler, who not only supported and
guided me, but understood the importance of this research and believed in me to conduct
it.
To my father and my husband, thank you for your unwavering support throughout
my graduate career. You encouraged me when I needed it the most, had faith in me and
my abilities when I struggled, and celebrated me in my accomplishments.
To my sweet Adelyn, Mommy loves you dearly. Your future is bright, and I know
that you will accomplish greater things than I.
Lastly, thank you to my extended family and friends who supported me and stuck
with me until the very end. My apologies for all of the missed events and memories
made. So here’s to a lifetime of making new ones!

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Table of Contents Page
Dedication .......................................................................................................................... iv
Acknowledgments................................................................................................................v
List of Tables ................................................................................................................... viii
I. Introduction .................................................................................................................1
II. Literature Review ........................................................................................................5
III. Methodology ..............................................................................................................32
IV. Method .......................................................................................................................37
V. Procedures ..................................................................................................................45
VI. Results........................................................................................................................52
VII. Limitations, Implications, and Conclusions ..............................................................70

References ..........................................................................................................................80
Appendix A: Participant Recruitment Flyer……… ..........................................................87
Appendix B: Participant Interview Prompts ......................................................................89
Appendix C: Participant Information and Consent Form ..................................................91

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List of Tables Page
1. Example of Step 3 of Data Analysis ..............................................................................54

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