Racism, Aging, and Self-Reported Psychological Distress Among Black Women in Leadership Positions

Abstract

This study was motivated by the complexity of population aging in Brazil and the intersectional challenges of racism, sexism, and ageism faced by Black women leaders. The general objective was to analyze the association between experiences of racial and professional discrimination and the prevalence of anxiety and/or depression, considering age as a relevant dimension of the aging process. The central hypothesis suggested that Black women in leadership positions who experienced racial exclusion in the workplace would report higher levels of psychological distress, with special attention to the 30–49 age groups, where most reports of professional invisibility were concentrated. The methodology was quantitative and cross-sectional, using descriptive statistical analyses. The variables included age group, race, self-reported professional invisibility, and a mental health diagnosis of anxiety/depression (dependent variable). The results revealed significant professional invisibility among Black women, with numerical predominance among Black women, especially those aged 30–49; among mixed-race women, the percentages should be interpreted cautiously because of the smaller sample size. Professional invisibility emerged as a cross-cutting phenomenon, present both among participants with clinical diagnoses and among those without a formal mental disorder record. This finding suggests that interpersonal and institutional erasure operates as a persistent psychosocial stressor, regardless of the consolidation of a formal clinical condition. The final considerations emphasize that racism and sexism deeply impact the mental health of these leaders, highlighting the urgency of scientific studies and effective public and corporate policies to promote equitable and inclusive work environments, valuing the resilience and invaluable contributions of Black women.