Sexual orientation-based microaggressions are risk factors for depression, anxiety, and internalized stigma, and are associated with psychological distress, traumatic stress symptoms, alcohol use and abuse, cannabis use and problems, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt.
This is according to a study – “Microaggressions Toward Sexual and Gender Minority Emerging Adults: An Updated Systematic Review of Psychological Correlates and Outcomes and the Role of Intersectionality” by Joshua J. DeSon and Margaret S. Andover – that appeared in LGBT Health.
For this study, the researchers examined 45 quantitative studies examining sexual orientation-, trans+ identity-, or intersectional identity-based microaggressions and various psychological outcomes from PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases. Data regarding microaggressions were extracted, synthesized, and grouped by mental health outcome or correlate.
Key findings included:
- Sexual orientation-based microaggressions were risk factors for depression, anxiety, and internalized stigma.
- Sexual orientation-based microaggressions were positively associated with psychological distress, traumatic stress symptoms, alcohol use and abuse, cannabis use and problems, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt.
- Trans+ identity-based microaggressions were positively associated with depression, suicide attempt, and cannabis use.
- LGBTQ intersectional identity-based microaggressions concerning race/ethnicity were associated with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
“These… emphasize the psychological harm inflicted by various microaggressions on LGBTQ late adolescents and early adults,” the researchers emphasized.
They, therefore, recommended for future efforts to “focus on microaggressions toward individuals with trans+ and intersectional identities and protective factors for these experiences”.
Similarly, there is a “distinct need for community-based research on implementing microintervention strategies in family, school, and work environments to mitigate the harmful effects of these microaggressions.”
