Relationship Between Microaggressions Experienced by Registered Dietitians in the Workplace and Anxiety

Microaggressions are common in healthcare settings, yet their impact on the mental health of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) remains understudied. This cross-sectional study examined whether exposure to workplace microaggressions is associated with anxiety among RDNs and explored demographic factors linked to these experiences. An online survey was distributed to 5,000 RDNs across the United States using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Registry List. The survey included demographic questions, the Racial and Ethnic Microaggressions Scale (REMS), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). A total of 140 participants completed the survey. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and multiple linear regressions were used to assess the relationship between microaggressions and anxiety. Results showed that higher scores on the REMS were significantly associated with higher anxiety levels (p < 0.001). Among the subscales, microinvalidations were positively associated with anxiety (p = 0.006), while greater perceived support was linked to lower anxiety (p = 0.004). Younger RDNs reported higher levels of anxiety, although there were no significant age-related differences in reported microaggressions. Participants with marginalized identities reported significantly higher anxiety and microaggressions scores than those with majority identities, indicating that identity-based disparities in RDNs' professional experiences may contribute to psychological distress.