The LGBQ Microaggressions on Campus Scale: A Scale Development and Validation Study

Abstract

Although LGBQ students experience blatant forms of heterosexism on college campuses, subtle manifestations such as sexual orientation microaggressions are more common. Similar to overt heterosexism, sexual orientation microaggressions may threaten LGBQ students’ academic development and psychological wellbeing. Limited research exists in this area, in part due to lack of a psychometrically sound instrument measuring the prevalence of LGBQ microaggressions on college campuses. To address this gap, we created and tested the LGBQ Microaggressions on College Campuses Scale. Two correlated subscales were generated: Interpersonal LGBQ Microaggressions and Environmental LGBQ Microaggressions. The results indicated that the subscales demonstrate strong reliability and validity.

Keywords:

• campus climate
• college students
• discrimination
• heterosexism
• minority stress
• sexuality
• youth

Acknowledgments

We thank all of those who participated in the study, especially Will Sherry and Chloé Gurin-Sands of the University of Michigan’s Spectrum Center. We also thank Larry Long, Michigan State University, and the anonymous reviewers for their comments. An earlier version of this article was presented at the 28th Annual Meeting of the Association for the Study of Higher Education held in St. Louis, MO, November 14–16, 2013.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the National Center for Institutional Diversity, University of Michigan; the Curtis Center, School of Social Work, University of Michigan; and the College of Education, Michigan State University.