On the relationship between experienced microaggressions and mental health stigma among members of marginalized groups

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Members of historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups are more likely to experience racial and ethnic microaggressions (REMs), as well as to endorse greater mental health stigma. The present study examined whether the experience of REMs partially explains a greater likelihood of endorsing mental health stigma among members of marginalized groups. Method: 494 undergraduate students and MTurk workers completed a survey including measures of the experience of REMs, mental health symptoms, and mental health stigma (including mental illness microaggressions [MIMs]). Analyses examined the association between the experience of REMS and mental health stigma, and whether REMS mediated the relationship between race/ethnicity and mental health stigma. Results: Black/African-American participants endorsed experiencing significantly more REMs than participants from other racial/ethnic groups, while both Latinx and Black/African-American participants endorsed a greater willingness to engage in MIMs. REMs significantly predicted intent to perpetrate MIMs; however, mediational analyses did not support that REMs mediated the relationship between race/ethnicity and MIMs. Discussion: Findings suggest that the experience of REMs may predispose individuals to “pass along” discrimination that they have experienced to persons diagnosed with mental illness, but this relationship does not explain why members of racial and ethnic minorities may express more mental health stigma.

KEYWORDS:

• Microaggressions
• stigma
• mental health
• race
• ethnicity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Practical Implications

This study found evidence to support that members of marginalized racial and ethnic groups that experience discrimination may pass along this discrimination to persons diagnosed with mental illness. This process may contribute to greater marginalization of people with mental illness, especially when they are also members of these groups.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sarah Zoubaa

Sarah Zoubaa, MA, obtained her MA in forensic psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is an MSN in Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing student at Yale University.

Brandon Dial

Brandon Dial, B.A. Forensic Psychology, is an M.A. student in Forensic Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He is interested in researching mental health stigma, and the underutilization of mental health services in communities of color. He intends to pursue a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology.

Lindsey Ryan-Jones

Lindsey Ryan-Jones, B.A., is currently completing her Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She is currently working on her Master’s thesis on ex-offender reentry challenges and intends to pursue a doctoral degree.

Virakti Shah

Virakti Shah, BA is currently completing her Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Philip T. Yanos

Philip T. Yanos, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Director of Clinical Training at the clinical psychology Ph.D. program at John Jay College/The Graduate Center.