Intra-Race Intersectionality: Identity Denial Among Dual-Minority Biracial People

Because many biracial people identify as members of multiple racial groups, they often experience identity denial (e.g., they are told to identify differently) and identity questioning (e.g., they are asked about their background). Though identity denial and questioning are associated with psychological health outcomes among minority–White biracial people, no work has examined these experiences among dual-minority (e.g., Black–Latino) biracial people who cannot claim a high-status White identity. We use an intersectional framework to test the association between experiences of identity denial, identity questioning, feelings of freedom in identity selection, perceived conflict between one’s identities, and levels of belonging. Results replicate past findings among minority–White biracial people: greater experiences of denial were associated with lower feelings of autonomy, greater conflict, and lower levels of belonging. Unique to the dual-minority sample, there were indirect effects through multiracial public regard, as more denial was associated with reports that multiracial people are held in lower regard. The findings suggest that identity denial may be associated with greater negative intrapersonal well-being for dual-minority biracial people, highlighting the need for support among policymakers, educators, and practitioners to increase inclusion.

Duke Scholars

Author Sarah Elizabeth Gaither Psychology & Neuroscience