Microaggressions based on sexual orientation were risk factors for depression, anxiety, and internalized stigma, and were 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.
The researchers wanted to synthesize research on the relationships among microaggressions and psychological correlates and outcomes among sexual and gender minority individuals, particularly since “sexual orientation-based and transgender and gender-diverse (trans+) identity-based microaggressions have been thematically identified in prior research.”
The researchers examined 45 quantitative studies examining sexual orientation-, trans+ identity-, or intersectional identity-based microaggressions and various psychological outcomes. These were identified from systematic searches of PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases.
Some of the results included:
- Sexual orientation-based microaggressions were risk factors for depression, anxiety, and internalized stigma and 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.
According to the researchers, “these findings emphasize the psychological harm inflicted by various microaggressions on LGBTQ late adolescents and early adults.” As such, “future work should focus on microaggressions toward individuals with trans+ and intersectional identities and protective factors for these experiences.”
They added that this review “also highlights the distinct need for community-based research on implementing microintervention strategies in family, school, and work environments to mitigate the harmful effects of these microaggressions.”
