A qualitative study on biracial Black East Asian American women and their experiences of hypersexualization

Current growth trends suggest that Asian multiracial and Black multiracial groups are emergent racial categories, yet little research exists on dual minority populations and how they navigate identity. This study explored Black East Asian American women’s experiences of hypersexualization and how they internalized corresponding messages. Utilizing a constructivist–interpretivist framework and elements of constructivist grounded theory methods in the conceptualization and design of data compilation and analysis, interviews with 17 Black East Asian American women were conducted, then transcribed and coded. Results showed five themes correspondent with participant experiences: (a) encountering sexualized racial stereotypes, (b) perceived as an experience, (c) navigating power dynamics, (d) hypersexualization connected to sexual trauma, and (e) contention with Black or Asian communities. Clinical and research implications from findings include the importance of gendered racial socialization and for clinicians to approach working with Black Asian women with a structural competencies framework are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: journal abstract)