Microaggressions: Mega problems or micro issues? A meta-analysis.

While research on microaggressions has accumulated in recent decades, doubts have arisen over their impact on individuals. Hence, the purpose of this study was to analyze the relations between microaggressions and psychological well-being, physical health, job outcomes, and positive and negative coping. Potential moderators (i.e., microaggression target, publication year, publication status, sample occupation, and inclusion of nonstigmatized group members) were also examined. A meta-analytic approach was chosen to summarize the findings in the microaggression literature. Several search terms and databases were used to identify articles for inclusion. After review, a total of 141 articles with 154 samples contributed effect sizes to our analyses. The results showed that microaggressions were negatively related to psychological well-being and physical health and positively related to coping. The pattern of results was generally the same regardless of the microaggression target, the year the study was conducted, the publication status of the paper, the occupation of the sample, and whether the sample included nonstigmatized groups members or not. This meta-analysis demonstrates the stable, harmful effects associated with experiencing microaggressions. Specifically, microaggressions predicted negative outcomes across individuals and contexts. Thus, actions should be taken to decrease their prevalence within educational and occupational settings.