Overt and covert experiences of prejudice and discrimination have been associated with increased stress and distress among people with disabilities. Although researchers have explored people with disabilities' experiences with microaggressions, no measure exists to assess disability microaggressions. The present research was conducted to develop and validate a scale that measures microaggressions experienced by people with physical disabilities, the Ableist Microaggressions Scale (AMS). Study 1 developed the preliminary AMS based on eight primary disability microaggressions domains outlined in Keller and Galgay's (2010) qualitative study, as well as expert feedback, cognitive interviews, and a pilot study. Study 2 consisted of exploratory factor analysis (N = 559) to determine factor structure, and a 4-factor model emerged. Study 3 confirmed the factor structure through confirmatory factor analysis (N = 833), and demonstrated adequate validity and reliability for the 20-item AMS. Additional findings, implications, and limitations are discussed.

Purpose: Prejudice and discrimination have been associated with mental and physical health disparities among people with disabilities (Emerson, 2010) and sexual minorities (American Psychological Association [APA], 2012b). Subtle everyday communications of prejudice, known as microaggressions, are one form of oppressive experience that contribute to minority stress among these groups. As sexual minority people with disabilities (SMPWDs) embody at least two marginalized statuses, they may face unique levels of risk. While social support has been posited to buffer against the negative effects of minority stress (Meyer, 2003), the relationship between microaggressions and perceived social support is currently unknown. This study is among the first to explore the relationship between microaggressions and social support in a multiply marginalized community. Research Method: One-hundred and 92 sexual minority (i.e., bisexual, gay, lesbian, pansexual, queer, questioning, same-sex/gender attracted) participants with physical disabilities completed measures related to microaggressions, social support, and mental health via an online survey. Results: Results suggest that for SMPWDs, greater ableist microaggressions within sexual minority communities were associated with lower satisfaction with LGBTQ social supports. In addition, ableist and homonegative microaggressions within sexual minority and disability communities, respectively, were related to greater depressive symptoms. Social support was not found to moderate the relationship between microaggressions and mental health. Implications: Implications for practice, training, advocacy, and future research are discussed, such as raising critical consciousness about microaggressions and mental health, using an intersectional framework when working with SMPWDs, engaging in inclusive advocacy toward policy change, and future studies on microaggressions and social support using diverse samples. Impact and ImplicationsThis study is among the first to examine the relationship between microaggressions and social support. The results of this study highlight interpersonal barriers to supportive relationships for SMPWDs within sexual minority communities, and emphasize the need for increased advocacy toward full inclusion of SMPWDs within sexual minority and disability communities. Providers are encouraged to take a nonpathologizing stance with SMPWDs by focusing on raising critical consciousness about microaggressions and their relationship with mental health. Within-group differences, such as based on disability severity, should also be considered in treatment. Use of an intersectional framework is important when working with SMPWDs, and providers should explore experiences within various communities when assessing social support. Providers should use their expertise to intervene at a broader level to influence how SMPWDs are perceived and treated. Providers are encouraged to increase awareness of their own biases, take risks to address microaggressions, and advocate at the insti...

The effectiveness of training for mental health professionals to increase queer-affirming (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual) cultural competencies has not been well established. Though there is an assumption that training generally works to increase or improve knowledge, attitudes, and skills, it is unclear what training format, content, and pedagogical approaches are effective. To explore the effectiveness of cultural competency training interventions for mental health professionals, a systematic review of peer-reviewed empirical articles in English published between 2000 and 2020 was conducted. Studies were selected for inclusion if the article was empirical, evaluated a training or education related to working with queer clients, and participants were mental health providers or graduate level trainees. Independent data extraction was conducted by using predefined thematic content areas, including information about the research method, training content, training format, measures, outcomes, and recommendations. Data was reviewed for 13 studies and training duration varied from 1 hr to 1 year. Most studies measured knowledge, and some measured attitudes, skills, and self-efficacy. There is some evidence that queer cultural competency training helps to improve self-reported knowledge, attitudes, and skills for mental health professionals. However, given several limitations, including a lack of studies and various methodological challenges, clear conclusions cannot be made about the effectiveness of queer cultural competency training for mental health professionals, more broadly. Public Significance StatementEvidence-based queer-affirming training for mental health professionals is needed and a systematic review of this literature provides an overview of the current research. Training in this area tends to increase self-reported cultural competency, however, more research and rigorous methods are needed to continue testing the effectiveness of such training.

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