Microaggressions experienced by persons with mental illnesses: An exploratory study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Social Sciences
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Microaggressions are subtle, disparaging communications targeting marginalized groups.
• Previous research documented microaggressions' impact on racial/ethnic minorities, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities.
• No prior studies explored microaggressions experienced by individuals with mental illnesses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the nature and impact of microaggressions on individuals with mental illnesses.
• To identify common themes and perpetrators of microaggressions in this population.
• To understand the consequences of microaggressions on mental health and treatment.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative data collected from 4 focus groups.
• Participants included adult mental health consumers and college students with mental illness diagnoses.
• Transcripts analyzed using open coding to identify hierarchical themes.

Main Results:

• Five major themes emerged: invalidation, assumption of inferiority, fear, shaming, and second-class citizenship.
• Perpetrators were often close friends, family, and authority figures.
• Participants reported more overt discrimination than subtle microaggressions, leading to isolation, negative emotions, and treatment nonadherence.

Conclusions:

• Microaggressions have significant implications for mental health treatment, even when perpetrators are unaware.
• Experiences with microaggressions, especially within close relationships, may foster internalized stigma.
• Future research should explore the motivations behind perpetrating microaggressions against individuals with mental illness.