Date of Award
8-2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
College/School
College for Community Health
Department/Program
Counseling
Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair
Angela I. Sheely-Moore
Committee Member
Bradley van Eeden-Moorefield
Committee Member
W. Matthew Shurts
Abstract
Experiences with gender microaggressions have been shown to negatively impact mental health and self-esteem in women. Cisgender women are faced with pervasive gender microaggressions throughout life, including within their homes and families. This study sought to explore cisgender women’s experiences with gender microaggressions within two critical family systems, the family of origin and intimate adult relationships. Utilizing Postmodern Feminist Theory and Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, three overarching themes were identified related to how cisgender women experience and make meaning of gender microaggressions: 1) Rigid Roles and Expectations for Women; 2) Impact of Power Dynamics; and 3) Identifying Pathways to Lasting Change. Within these overarching themes, five themes and 16 subthemes were identified and presented both descriptively and interpretively. These findings are also explored in conjunction with the existing literature. Strengths and limitations of the current study are addressed, and directions for future research are proposed.
File Format
Recommended Citation
DiZenzo-Priestley, Stephanie, "Everything and Nothing: Exploring the Connection Between Gender Microaggressions in the Family of Origin and Intimate Adult Relationships" (2024). Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects. 1444.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/etd/1444
Included in
Counseling Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Psychology Commons, Women's Studies Commons