*Note* This scheduling program was not designed by folks who do a lot with APA Style and unfortunately it defaults to listing authors in alphabetical order. We cannot fix this for this online schedule, but the author orders are posted in the order submitted in the printed program available via pdf here.
The purpose of our study was to explore the experiences and impacts of microaggressions regarding ethnicity. Stereotypes greatly impact how people perceive others in society (Koenig & Eagly, 2014). The blatancy of their effects on people is well known and studied. Nevertheless, there are forms of discrimination that are not so openly studied (Smith, 2014; Koenig & Eagly, 2014). Microaggressions are a more subtle form of discrimination, which consists of unconscious behaviors that make people feel like the “other” group (Nadal, Griffin, Wong, Hamit & Rasmus, 2012). Microaggressions can be targeted in numerous ways, such as an individual’s ethnicity, gender, SES, and physical capability. Research has shown that microaggressions have an impact on mental health, depression and anxiety (Nadal et al., 2012). In order to address these various factors, it is critical to understand the common themes that arise from individuals who are being microaggressed regarding their ethnicity. Participants were students from a public university in Southern California who believed they were being impacted by microaggressions. Data was collected in the form of focus groups, with 4 groups in total. Participants were asked to discuss their experiences regarding the ethnic group they felt most microaggressed into by members outside of their group. Using qualitative procedures, date was analyzed to identify common themes of microaggressions. The results ascertained that participants displayed feelings of disconnect with their own identities. The findings can help us further understand the effects microaggressions have on such populations, as well as to educate others about the long-term negative effects that manifest throughout their lives. References Koenig, A. M., & Eagly, A. H. (2014). Evidence for the social role theory of stereotype content: observations of groups’ roles shape stereotypes. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 107 (3), 371-392. Nadal L. Kevin, Griffin E. Katie, Wong Yinglee, Hamit Sahran, & Rasmus Morgan. (2012). The impact of racial microaggressions on mental health: counseling implications for clients of color, Journal of Counseling & Development, (92), 57-66. Smith, S. (2014). Limitations to equality: gender stereotypes and social change. Juncture, 21 (2), 144-150
