The Effects of Microaggressions on One’s Health

Written by Elizabeth Montoya and Edited by Alexander Alva

Behavior does not entail solely explicitly insulting another individual in order to be classified as aggressive [1]. Microaggressions, as their name suggests, are subtle, small comments that could pass off as innocent, but they can make victims feel like they are being mistreated or excluded [2]. Different types of microaggressions, which includes microassault, microinsult, and microinvalidation, all convey negative messages to the receiver [3]. Microaggressions exist in all aspects of life, including the healthcare field where the relationship between a provider and patient can negatively affect the dynamic and lead to additional barriers for a patient to seek care [4]. Additionally, microaggressions may be common among college students, such as when an individual utilizes hurtful phrases, such as attributing the success of another student “to fill a quota” and “affirmative action” [2].

Different groups endure microaggression, and microaggressions have been referred to as “death by a thousand cuts” [5]. Individuals are often affected by a combination of different kinds of microaggressions based on gender, sexuality, race, and more. People of color and women were found to face microaggressions in different ways. For instance, black men endure comments viewing them as aggressive, while Latina women deal with comments viewing them as objects [6]. Furthermore, black women reported experiencing microaggressive comments that undermined their intelligence as well as negative experiences with institutional systems such as interactions with law enforcement [6]. A 2015 research study analyzing microaggressions in American Indian healthcare found a correlation between those who experienced microaggressions with worsening mental and physical health [4]. Moreover, Asian Americans also regularly deal with microaggression, including being praised for their English abilities even if they have lived in the United States all their lives [8]. Such microaggressions act as double-edged swords due to the veiled derogatory assumption of an individual. 

Microaggressions negatively affect the individual’s mental, emotional, and physical health. Over time, these microaggressions create inner conflict and chronic stress; this only increases their risk for the onset of traumatic stress symptoms and depression [9]. One 2019 study suggested an association between African American women residing in the US who experienced and did not share their experiences to others with shorter telomeres, the ends of chromosomes that protect our DNA [7]. This data depicts the importance of support systems for those who experience microaggressions as those without proper support systems may feel increasingly more negative feelings and harbour potential changes within the protective ends of their DNA. Individuals who experienced microaggressions in another 2015 study report feeling tension, which leads to physical tightness and anxiousness, and digestive issues, which can lead to reflux disease and upper and lower GI conditions [10]. Overall, individuals who experience microaggressions increasingly mistrust others and hurt their own well-being [8]. People who regularly deal with microaggressions may also experience confusion, anger, anxiety, helplessness, hopelessness, frustration, paranoia, and fear, which lead to negative coping mechanisms, such as denial, withdrawal, and substance abuse [1].

Promisingly, there are different coping methods along with treatment options. Studies have reported that reflective coping and problem-solving activities are positively correlated with the well-being of individuals. Across 134 studies about discrimination and health outcomes, the scientists found that active problem solving was an effective coping method [11]. Coping strategies include problem solving, cognitive restructuring, expression of emotion, and social support seeking [11]. Recommended treatment involves the victim validating one’s own feelings against the microaggression [3].

As a society, it is imperative to recognize the negative impact on society that microaggressions cause. A potential means of reflecting and aiming to improve the issue of microaggressions in society is to implement changes, such as training programs for employees and students to learn about microaggressions and how to better support one another [5]. Additionally, hospital and health care workers must also be trained in order to create an environment of mutual respect between healthcare professionals and patients to better address the needs of their patients without causing mistrust. 

References

1. Williams, M.T., (2019). Microaggressions: Clarification, Evidence, and Impact. SAGE Journals, 15:3-26.
2. Clay, R.A. (2017). Did you really just say that?. American Psychological Association, 48:46.
3. Harrison, C., Tanner, K.D. (2018). Language Matters: Considering Microaggressions in Science. CBE Life Sciences Education, 17: 1-8.
4. Walls, M.L., Gonzalez, J., Gladney, T.,  Onello, E. (2015). Unconscious Biases: Racial Microaggressions in American Indian Health Care. J Am Board Fam Med, 28: 231-239.
5. Torino, Gina. “How Racism and Microaggressions Lead to Worse Health.” Center for Health Journalism, USC Annenberg, 10 Nov. 2017, centerforhealthjournalism.org/2017/11/08/how-racism-and-microaggressions-lead-worse- health. Accessed 2021 Jan 25
6. McCabe, J. (2009). Racial and Gender Microaggressions on a Predominantly-White Campus: Experiences of Black, Latina/o and White Undergraduates. Jean Ait Belkhir, Race, Gender & Class Journal, 16:133-151.
7. Lu, D., Palmer, J.R., Rosenberg, L., Shields, A.E., Orr, E.H., DeVivo, I., Cozier, Y.C. (2019). Perceived racism in relation to telomere length among African American women in the Black Women’s Health Study, Annals of Epidemiology, 36: 33-39.
8. Kim, P.Y., Kendall, D.L., Cheon, H. (2017). Racial microaggressions, cultural mistrust, and mental health outcomes among asian american college students. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 87: 663-670.
9. Torres, L.,  Taknint, J,T. (2015). Ethnic Microaggressions, Traumatic Stress Symptoms, And Latino Depression: A Moderated Mediational Model. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 62: 1-24.
10. Hall, J.M.,  Fields. B. (2015). “It’s Killing Us!” Narratives of Black Adults About Microaggression Experiences and Related Health Stress. Global Qualitative Nursing Research, 2:1-14.
11. Hernandez, R.J., Villodas, M.T. (2020). Overcoming racial battle fatigue: The associations between racial microaggressions, coping, and mental health among Chicana/o and Latina/o college students. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 26: 399-411.