Racial Microaggressions: a Primer with Implications for Counseling Practice

Houshmand, Sara; Spanierman, Lisa B.; Stefano, Jack De

doi:10.1007/s10447-017-9292-0

Cited by 20 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Most qualitative findings that document targets’ experiences with racial microaggressions can be classified into these categories: (a) pathologizing differences, (b) denigrating and pigeonholing, (c) excluding and rendering invisible, and (d) perpetuating color-blind racial attitudes. When we considered the totality of the extant research, we agreed with previous scholars that these four categories, although not exhaustive, best capture the data that have emerged across studies (Houshmand et al, 2017; Sue & Spanierman, 2020). In what follows, we describe the four superordinate categories and respective themes from the literature (see also Table 1).…”

Section: Racial Microaggressions Taxonomies: Documenting Targets’ Exp...mentioning

confidence: 60%

“…In what follows, we provide an updated definition of the term racial microaggressions and clarify mischaracterizations in the literature. Drawing on prior microaggressions theory we specify four superordinate categories of racial microaggressions by which to organize themes from taxonomy research (Houshmand et al, 2017; Sue & Spanierman, 2020). We discuss themes by racial group to further understand the salience of racial microaggressions for particular targets.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Reviewing Racial Microaggressions Research: Documenting Targets’ Experiences, Harmful Sequelae, and Resistance Strategies

Spanierman

Clark

Kim

2021

Perspect Psychol Sci

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In this article, we review the theoretical and empirical literature on racial microaggressions from 2007 to 2020 ( N = 138 articles). First, we refine racial microaggressions theory and update the definition to address mischaracterizations in the literature and clarify the term (i.e., “micro” refers to microlevel interactions rather than degree of harm). Next, we used four superordinate categories (i.e., pathologizing differences, denigrating and pigeonholing, excluding or rendering invisible, and perpetuating color-blind racial attitudes) in which to situate racial microaggression themes from the extant literature. Moreover, we consolidated and renamed existing themes to privilege targets’ perspectives (e.g., facing assumptions of inferior status and enduring exoticization). We then synthesized qualitative and quantitative research that shows harmful sequelae of racial microaggressions (i.e., psychological and physiological symptoms). Extending prior research on coping with gendered racial microaggressions, we describe empirical findings on collective, resistance, and self-protective strategies to mitigate the harmful impact of racial microaggressions. We conclude with directions for future research.

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Section: Racial Microaggressions Taxonomies: Documenting Targets’ Exp...mentioning

confidence: 60%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Reviewing Racial Microaggressions Research: Documenting Targets’ Experiences, Harmful Sequelae, and Resistance Strategies

Spanierman

Clark

Kim

2021

Perspect Psychol Sci

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“…This paper has focused on a classification system based the actions of perpetrators, but there may be better and more equitable ways to classify these behaviors. For example, in some situations it may be better to classify microaggressions based on the intention of the perpetrator (e.g., superordinate forms of microaggressions; [ 15 , 41 ]) or the impact on the victim (e.g., [ 3 ]). Likewise, future research should examine the differential harms to victims resulting from the different types of microaggressions described herein.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A qualitative study of microaggressions against African Americans on predominantly White campuses

et al. 2020

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Background Pierce’s (The Black seventies: an extending horizon book, 1970) conception of “subtle and stunning” daily racial offenses, or microaggressions, remains salient even 50 years after it was introduced. Microaggressions were defined further by Sue and colleagues (Am Psychol 62:271, 2007), and this construct has found growing utility as the deleterious effects of microaggressions on the health of people of color continues to mount. Microaggressions are common on campuses and contribute to negative social, academic, and mental health outcomes. Method This paper explores how Black college students’ experiences correspond to or differ from the microaggression types originally proposed by Sue et al. (Am Psychol 62:271, 2007). Themes were identified from focus group data of students of color (N = 36) from predominately White institutions (PWIs) of higher learning (N = 3) using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results We identified 15 categories of racial microaggressions, largely consistent with the original taxonomy of Sue et al. but expanded in several notable ways. New categories in our data and observed by other researchers, included categories termed Connecting via Stereotypes, Exoticization and Eroticization, and Avoidance and Distancing. Lesser studied categories identified included Sue et al.’s Denial of Individual Racism, and new categories termed Reverse Racism Hostility, Connecting via Stereotypes, and Environmental Attacks. Discussion While previous literature has either embraced the taxonomy developed by Sue and colleagues or proposed a novel taxonomy, this study synthesized the Sue framework in concert with our own focus group findings and the contributions of other researchers. Improving our understanding of microaggressions as they impact people of color may better allow for improved understanding and measurement of this important construct.

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“…Unfortunately, studies indicate that many clinicians remain uncomfortable, disinvested, and/or lack the skill to navigate difficult discussions on racism and discrimination with their clients (Moodley, Mujtaba, & Kleinman, 2017;Houshmand, Spanierman, & De Stefano, 2017).…”

Section: Implications For Social Work Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Administrators must also understand how ignoring or downplaying racial microaggressions contributes to the manifestation of institutional racism, referred to by Sue (2007) as a "conspiracy of silence." Failing to recognize these incidents in the context of either a clinical or an academic setting can discourage students from accessing needed services, resulting in negative outcomes for the student and exacerbating the racial climate on campus (Houshmand, Spanierman, & Stefano, 2017;Solórzano, Ceja, & Yosso, 2000).…”

Section: Implications For Social Work Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Examining Racial Microaggressions and Psychological Distress Among Undergraduate Students of Color

Robinson-Perez¹

2019

Proceedings of the 2019 AERA Annual Meeting

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Racial Microaggressions: a Primer with Implications for Counseling Practice

Cited by 20 publications

References 48 publications

Reviewing Racial Microaggressions Research: Documenting Targets’ Experiences, Harmful Sequelae, and Resistance Strategies

Reviewing Racial Microaggressions Research: Documenting Targets’ Experiences, Harmful Sequelae, and Resistance Strategies

A qualitative study of microaggressions against African Americans on predominantly White campuses

Examining Racial Microaggressions and Psychological Distress Among Undergraduate Students of Color

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