An initial framework for the study of internalized racism and health: Internalized racism as a racism‐induced identity threat response

Internalized racism (IR) is sometimes conceptualized as a form of racism, psychological response to experiencing and/or an external sociocultural process. However, while growing body work shows that IR associated with adverse health among racial minorities, this limited in explaining association. I present integrated framework using the Stigma-induced Identity Threat Model and Minority Stress Theory help better understand mechanisms through which gets both “under skin” “into mind” impact health. With framework, suggest source race- racism-related stress consequence increases risk directly, indirectly via psychological, biophysiological, behavioral responses. Primarily, argue racism-induced identity threat triggers stress-related (e.g., hopelessness) biophysiological autonomic nervous system activation) responses, engagement maladaptive coping behaviors drug use). These responses then operate discuss limitations initial scholarship, along directions for future research.