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Date of Graduation
5-14-2026
Semester of Graduation
Spring
Degree Name
Educational Specialist (EdS)
Department
Department of Graduate Psychology
First Advisor
Amanda Evans
Second Advisor
A. Renee Staton
Third Advisor
Robin Anderson
Abstract
This project explores how hyper-sexualized stereotypes of Black women shape their sense of self, their relationships, and their overall mental well-being. The research uses existing empirical literature on racialized gender stereotypes, body image, attachment patterns, and culturally specific stress to propose a 15-week group model designed specifically for Black college-age women. The author gathered information from peer-reviewed studies, theoretical frameworks (including Attachment Theory, Relational-Cultural Theory, and Social Identity Theory), group discussions, and personal experiences to suggest a group that encourages members to reflect on their identity, sexuality, and relationship dynamics. Across the literature within this population, a clear pattern emerged: when Black women are repeatedly exposed to images that sexualize or oversimplify who they are, it can weaken self-worth, increase self-objectification, and contribute to anxious or avoidant relational patterns. These pressures, combined with longstanding barriers to mental-health care, make it harder for many Black women to seek or sustain support. The group model shows that when counseling spaces intentionally address race, gender, and cultural context, participants can begin to challenge internalized messages, build healthier relational habits, and reclaim a more authentic sense of identity and sexuality. Moving forward, counseling programs should prioritize culturally responsive, trauma-aware approaches and find ways to share group insights more widely, while protecting confidentiality, so the benefits extend beyond the members themselves.
Included in
Counseling Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Gender and Sexuality Commons, Multicultural Psychology Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons, Social Justice Commons, Social Psychology Commons, Theory and Philosophy Commons
