The Good, the Bad, and the Microaggressions: How Identity and Context Influence Daily Experiences and Psychological Outcomes Over Time
Abstract
Microaggressions, subtle and often unintentional comments or behaviours, have garnered significant attention for their pervasive impact on mental health and well-being. This thesis explores the intricate dynamics of microaggressions and their psychological impacts, examining both marginalized and non-marginalized individuals, and how contextual factors and aspects of their identities shape their experiences. Two studies explored these phenomena. Study 1 employed a mixed-methods approach, incorporating broad recruitment, experience sampling methods, and longitudinal surveys over six months to assess the frequency of microaggressions and related psychological outcomes in 253 adults between the ages of 18 and 46. The main hypotheses posited that individuals with multiple marginalized identities whose minority status was always visible would experience a compounding effect of their minority identities, leading to more frequent microaggression experiences and worse psychological outcomes over time. In Study 1, individuals with multiple minority identities consistently reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. Additionally, the frequency of microaggressions reported over two weeks was associated with worse psychological outcomes at the two-week and six-month follow-ups, though these effects were not observed immediately or within hours of the experience. Marginalized and non-marginalized participants did not differ in the number of microaggressions they reported. However, individuals with more marginalized identities reported significantly more non-microaggression negative experiences compared to non-minority participants. These negative events contributed to decreased positive mood and heightened negative mood and stress. In contrast, positive experiences improved positive mood, even when occurring alongside negative experiences. Study 2 employed semi-structured interviews to investigate the perceived motives behind microaggressions and assess their impact on psychological outcomes. The results suggest that microaggressions stem from ignorance, bias, and well-intentioned but misguided motives, which nonetheless result in significant emotional distress for targets. These findings underscore the pervasive and insidious nature of microaggressions, particularly when occurring in close social relationships. Overall, the research highlights the nuanced and multifaceted nature of microaggressions and other daily experiences, demonstrating their significant and lasting impact on psychological well-being. These insights are crucial for developing targeted interventions to mitigate the harm caused by microaggressions and for promoting a more inclusive and supportive environment across diverse social contexts.