Racial Microaggression, Overt Discrimination, and Distress: (In)Direct Associations with Psychological Adjustment

Lui, P. Priscilla

doi:10.31234/osf.io/827pg

“…Individual difference factors have been shown to shape people’s worldviews and reactions to interracial exchanges. For example, colorblind attitudes accounted for variability in how Whites evaluated racism and discrimination-related events; neuroticism also explained individual differences in the associations between discrimination and mental health outcomes [ 29 , 63 , 64 ]. Future research should systematically examine how individual difference factors including racial identity, colorblind attitudes, and prior discrimination-related experiences might shape people’s attitudes toward microaggressions and reactions to discrimination events.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similar to the exposure to other adverse events such as bullying [ 28 ], it should not be surprising that individuals might react to microaggression—and other racism-related experiences—differently based on their personal characteristics. Nevertheless, within POC groups, racial microaggression experiences were linked to psychological outcomes over and above trait neuroticism [ 29 , 30 ]. Research also showed that POC’s health outcomes were disproportionately affected by discrimination and microaggression not because of people’s hypersensitivity to racism; rather, POC were more likely to experience differential treatment relative to Whites [ 31 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is microaggression an oxymoron? A mixed methods study on attitudes toward racial microaggressions among United States university students

Lui

¹

,

Berkley

²

,

Pham

³

et al. 2020

Self Cite

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To best understand the possible negative health and social consequences associated with racial microaggression, in-depth understanding of how people judge these events is needed. People of Color (POC) and White participants (N = 64) were recruited for a mixed-methods study that incorporated quantitative attitude ratings and focus group interviews. Participants read and discussed their attitudes toward five vignettes that reflected microassault, microinsult, and microinvalidation scenarios. Semantic differential ratings showed that participants judged microassaults to be most unacceptable, followed by microinsults and then microinvalidations. Using a grounded theory approach, our qualitative analysis of interview data revealed five thematic categories. First, participants judged receivers’ psychological harm to be a critical consideration for their attitudes toward microaggression scenarios; they discussed factors associated with individual differences in appraisals, prior exposures to discrimination, and sensitivity to race. Second, participants were less consistent in their opinion about the role of the deliverers’ intent on their judgment of microaggressions; many considered microaggression events to be results of deliverers’ cultural ignorance and racial insensitivity. Third, our analysis revealed the central importance of contexts that shaped participants’ attitudes toward microaggression. Fourth, participants also discussed the notion that receivers of microaggression were racist for calling attention to race issues. Finally, POC participants tended to relate to the vignettes and use their lived experiences to contextualize their opinions about racial microaggression. The current results raise concerns regarding the conceptualization and utility of the word “microaggression,” especially within the broader contexts of racism and major discrimination. Other empirical and practical implications are discussed.

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“…People of color experience unique stressors related to their marginalized social identity that adversely contribute to depression and anxiety (57), including explicit racial/ethnic discrimination and microaggressions (58)(59)(60)(61). Intergenerational trauma created by American slavery, colonialism, Jim Crow laws, and segregation, has been shown to effect both physical and psychological health among Black people (62)(63)(64).…”

Section: The Relationship Between Racial/ethnic Discrimination and Symentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Coronavirus Victimization Distress and Coronavirus Racial Bias on Mental Health Among AIAN, Asian, Black, and Latinx Young Adults

Fisher

¹

,

Tao

²

,

Yip

³

2020

Preprint

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Background. People of color in the U.S. have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic in terms of rates of infection and morbidity. Explanations for these disparities include over-representation as essential workers and long-standing inequities in access to health services. Prior to the pandemic, racial discrimination has been associated with depression and general anxiety. However, the effect of discrimination and racial bias specific to the Coronavirus on mental health has not been examined. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Coronavirus victimization distress and Coronavirus racial bias beliefs on the mental health of young adult people of color. Method. An online survey administered to a national sample of 350 Black, Indigenous and Latinx adults (18 to 25 years) included Coronavirus health risks, prescription and financial security, measure of depression and anxiety and 2 new psychometrically validated measures for Coronavirus related victimization distress and racial bias. Results. Employment, number of Coronavirus health risks, Coronavirus victimization distress and Coronavirus racial bias were positively correlated with each other and with depression and anxiety. By contrast, household income and perceived financial and prescription security were negatively correlated with Coronavirus victimization, Coronavirus racial bias and with the mental health indices. Structural equation modeling controlling for demographic variables indicated perceived Coronavirus racial bias mediated the effect of Coronavirus victimization distress on both mental health measures across all groups. Conclusions. Results suggest the COVID-19 pandemic has created new pathways to mental health disparities among young adults of color by reversing formerly protective factors such as employment, and by exacerbating structural and societal inequities linked to race. Findings highlight the necessity of creating mental health services tailored to the specific needs of racial/ethnic minorities during the current and future health crises.

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“…Nevertheless, within POC groups, racial microaggression experiences were linked to psychological outcomes over and above trait neuroticism [29,30]. Research also showed that POC's health outcomes were disproportionately affected by discrimination and microaggression not because of people's hypersensitivity to racism; rather, POC were more likely to experience differential treatment relative to Whites [31].…”

Section: Racism Discrimination and Microaggressionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is Microaggression An Oxymoron? A Mixed Methods Study on Attitudes toward Racial Microaggressions among United States University Students

Lui¹,

Berkley²,

Pham³

et al. 2020

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

To best understand the possible negative health and social consequences associated with racial microaggression, in-depth understanding of how people judge these events is needed. People of Color (POC) and White participants (N = 64) were recruited for a mixed-methods study that incorporated quantitative attitude ratings and focus group interviews. Participants read and discussed their attitudes toward five vignettes that reflected microassault, microinsult, and microinvalidation scenarios. Semantic differential ratings showed that participants judged microassaults to be most unacceptable, followed by microinsults and then microinvalidations. Using a grounded theory approach, our qualitative analysis of interview data revealed five thematic categories. First, participants judged receivers’ psychological harm to be a critical consideration for their attitudes toward microaggression scenarios; they discussed factors associated with individual differences in appraisals, prior exposures to discrimination, and sensitivity to race. Second, participants were less consistent in their opinion about the role of the deliverers’ intent on their judgment of microaggressions; many considered microaggression events to be results of deliverers’ cultural ignorance and racial insensitivity. Third, our analysis revealed the central importance of contexts that shaped participants’ attitudes toward microaggression. Fourth, participants also discussed the notion that receivers of microaggression were racist for calling attention to race issues. Finally, POC participants tended to relate to the vignettes and use their lived experiences to contextualize their opinions about racial microaggression. The current results raise concerns regarding the conceptualization and utility of the word “microaggression,” especially within the broader contexts of racism and major discrimination. Other empirical and practical implications are discussed.

show abstract

Racial Microaggression, Overt Discrimination, and Distress: (In)Direct Associations with Psychological Adjustment

Cited by 10 publications

References 37 publications

Is microaggression an oxymoron? A mixed methods study on attitudes toward racial microaggressions among United States university students

Is microaggression an oxymoron? A mixed methods study on attitudes toward racial microaggressions among United States university students

The Effects of Coronavirus Victimization Distress and Coronavirus Racial Bias on Mental Health Among AIAN, Asian, Black, and Latinx Young Adults

Is Microaggression An Oxymoron? A Mixed Methods Study on Attitudes toward Racial Microaggressions among United States University Students

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