PSMB093 Discrimination and mental health

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Monika Mihaličková (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. Mgr. Sylvie Graf, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Kateřina Šefčíková
Supplier department: Department of Psychology – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Fri 21. 11. 9:00–15:40 C42, Sat 22. 11. 9:00–15:40 C42, Fri 5. 12. 16:00–18:40 C42, Sat 6. 12. 9:00–15:40 C42
Prerequisites
! PSBB095 Discrimination and men. health
Admission to the course is based on a short motivation letter (maximum 300 words) submitted by the student. The aim is to describe your personal motivation for studying this topic and its relevance to your further studies, future profession, or personal life. Please submit your motivation letter in the form of a request for an exception, which can be found in the Registration and Enrollment application. The course is offered to undergraduate and master’s students in psychology (Bachelor’s and Master’s level).
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 8 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 8/8, only registered: 41/8
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students with a foundational understanding of the impact of racism and discrimination on the mental health and well-being of marginalized minorities. The course introduces students to psychological perspectives on discrimination and its effects on mental health, with a particular focus on marginalized groups such as racial/ethnic minorities, women, and LGBT+ individuals. The course is structured into six thematic blocks and focuses on various forms of racism against ethnic minorities and discrimination, with particular emphasis on microaggressions. Students will explore coping strategies and strengthen their competencies in culturally and ethnically sensitive approaches to psychological interventions. Differences between the Czech, European, and American contexts will also be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on developing reflexivity, empathy, and professional sensitivity when working with people from disadvantaged groups.
Learning outcomes
Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:
To define the manifestations of different forms of racism against ethnic minorities using examples from the USA, Europe, and the Czech Republic
Understand the impact of racism and discrimination on the mental health and well-being of ethnic minorities;
Explain the influence of racism and discrimination on internalized racism and self-stereotyping among minority groups
Explore coping strategies used by minorities in response to racism and discrimination;
Identify manifestations of microaggressions targeting ethnic minorities, women, and LGBT+ individuals
Understand the importance of cultural and ethnic sensitivity in psychological practice and learn how to apply it
Strengthen skills in supporting and effectively responding to racism, discrimination, and microaggressions in interpersonal communication and everyday life
Syllabus
  • 1. Forms of Racism and Discrimination
  • Manifestations of different forms of racism against ethnic minorities using examples from the USA, Europe, and the Czech Republic.
  • 2.Impacts of Racism on Mental Health
  • Racial stress, racial trauma, and their diagnosis; an overview of international methods and tools; understanding the effects of discrimination on both mental and physical health.
  • 3. Internalized Racism and Self-Stereotyping
  • The influence of stereotypes and prejudices on identity; understanding the mechanisms of internalized racism
  • 4. Coping and Resilience in Marginalized Groups
  • Coping strategies and mechanisms for dealing with racism and discrimination among ethnic minorities; protective factors, community and identity as sources of resilience; risks of negative coping strategies
  • 5. Microaggressions and Intersectionality
  • Taxonomy of microaggressions; recognizing microaggressions based on ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and health status; working with real-life examples and emphasizing an intersectional approach
  • 6. Culturally Sensitive Approach and Everyday Interventions
  • Principles of culturally and ethnically sensitive psychological practice; support and intervention in everyday communication, professional sensitivity, and the ethical dimension of helping relationships
Literature
    required literature
  • Boyle, K. M., Culatta, E., Turner, J. L., & Sutton, T. E. (2022). Microaggressions and mental health at the intersections of race, gender, and sexual orientation in graduate and law school. Journal of Women and Gender in Higher Education, 15(2), 157–180.
  • Torino, G. C., Rivera, D. P., Capodilupo, C. M., Nadal, K. L., & Sue, D. W. (Eds.). (2019). Microaggression theory: Influence and implications. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Paradies, Y., Ben, J., Denson, N., Elias, A., Priest, N., Pieterse, A., Gupta, A., Kelaher, M., & Gee, G. (2015). Racism as a determinant of health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 10(9), 1–48.
  • Sadusky, A., Yared, H., Patrick, P., & Berger, E. (2024). A systematic review of client’s perspectives on the cultural and racial awareness and responsiveness of mental health practitioners. Culture & Psychology, 30(3), 567-605.
    recommended literature
  • Bó, B. B. (2019). Structure versus agency: a cross-national examination of discrimination and the internalization of negative stereotypes. European Societies, 21(3), 327–355.
  • Comas-Díaz, L., Hall, G. N., & Neville, H. A. (2019). Racial trauma: Theory, research, and healing: Introduction to the special issue. American Psychologist, 74(1), 1–5.
  • European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). (2022). Roma in 10 European countries – Main results
  • Gonzales, L., Davidoff, K., Nadal, K., & Yanos, P. (2015). Microaggressions experienced by persons with mental illnesses: An exploratory study.. Psychiatric rehabilitation journal, 38 3, 234-41 .
  • Scott, Kim. Férová práce: Zbavte se předsudků, zaujatosti i diskriminace a nakopněte růst firmy i své kariéry. Přeložila Iva Vávrová. 1. vydání. Brno: Jan Melvil Publishing, 2023. 408 s. ISBN 978-80-7555-186-3. Jan Melvil Publishing, 2023
  • Sue, D. W. (2010). Microaggressions in everyday life: Race, gender, and sexual orientation. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  • Sue, D. W. (2013). Race talk: The psychology of racial dialogues. American Psychologist, 68(8), 663–672. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0033681
Teaching methods
Lectures, discussions, group work, experiential activities, presentation preparation, presentation
Assessment methods
Active participation in the course – minimum 80% attendance
Active engagement in group work, discussions, and class activities
A 15-minute group presentation (2–4 students) on a selected topic related to the course, focusing on issues, impacts, and possibilities for prevention or intervention
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught each semester.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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