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The Racial and Ethnic Microaggressions Scale (REMS): construction, reliability, and validity
1John Jay College of Criminal Justice--City University of New York, NY, NY 10019, USA. knadal@jjay.cuny.edu
Journal of Counseling Psychology
|August 31, 2011
Summary
Researchers developed and validated the Racial and Ethnic Microaggression Scale (REMS) to measure subtle racial aggressions experienced by diverse racial groups. This scale offers a reliable tool for understanding and addressing racial microaggressions in various settings.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Racial Studies
Background:
- Racial microaggressions are subtle, often unconscious, communications that denigrate people of color.
- Previous research established a theoretical taxonomy and qualitative insights into types of microaggressions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a comprehensive scale for measuring racial and ethnic microaggressions.
- To provide a psychometrically sound instrument for research and practice.
Main Methods:
- Utilized college and internet-based samples of African Americans, Latina/os, Asian Americans, and multiracial individuals (N = 661).
- Employed exploratory principal-components analysis (Study 1) and confirmatory factor analysis (Study 2).
- Assessed scale reliability using Cronbach's alpha and validated against existing racism measures.
Main Results:
- A robust 6-factor model of racial and ethnic microaggressions was identified: Assumptions of Inferiority, Second-Class Citizen/Assumptions of Criminality, Microinvalidations, Exoticization/Assumptions of Similarity, Environmental Microaggressions, and Workplace/School Microaggressions.
- The Racial and Ethnic Microaggression Scale (REMS) demonstrated high reliability (Cronbach's alpha .912 overall, .892 in Study 2).
- The REMS showed strong validity, correlating highly with established measures of racism.
Conclusions:
- The Racial and Ethnic Microaggression Scale (REMS) is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing racial microaggressions.
- Findings support the multidimensional nature of racial microaggressions.
- The REMS can inform future research and practical interventions aimed at mitigating the impact of racial microaggressions.
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