A Scoping Review of Measures Assessing Gender Microaggressions Against Women

Abstract

While considerable knowledge exists about blatant gender discrimination and violence targeting women, less is known about gender microaggressions. To understand gender microaggressions’ frequency, prevalence, and effects, researchers need robust quantitative measures. To advance gender microaggressions scholarship and support researchers’ efforts to identify high-quality measures, we conducted a psychometric scoping review. We identified 24 original, quantitative, multi-item measures designed to assess gender microaggressions or related constructs. Included measures needed at least one item assessing gender microaggressions and be used with adult women in the United States. Results indicated an increase in the number of measures including gender microaggressions’ items in recent years, with a major expansion in the number of named gender microaggressions’ measures. We found limited reporting of demographic information. Psychometric testing and characteristics varied across measures. While most ( n = 20) reported internal consistency reliability, only two-thirds ( n = 16) reported undergoing validity testing. When examining microaggressions named measures ( n = 10), we found inconsistent adherence to microaggressions’ theoretical and conceptual foundations. Substantial work remains to develop a “gold standard” measure that does not conflate subtle and blatant acts, assesses the full thematic range of gender microaggressions, and is psychometrically valid across different social contexts and diverse groups of women.

Microaggressions, Interrupted: The Experience and Effects of Gender Microaggressions for Women in STEM

“…Though subtle, microaggressions derogate the target, signaling exclusion and lack of belonging (Wilkins-Yel et al, 2019). A growing body of work shows that gender microaggressions occur in the workplace (Capodilupo et al, 2010;Gartner et al, 2020;Yang & Carroll, 2018). Understanding how workplace microaggressions are experienced by women is critical not only for extending theory by highlighting the different types of remedial identity work microaggressions can trigger but also for bolstering diversity training efforts in organizations.…”

Gender Microaggressions That Target Women in the U.S. Military: Examining Links with Depression and the Moderating Role of Rank and Coping

“…Future research might also examine how demographic characteristics (e.g., race, sexual orientation, and gender identity) influence the experiences with and effects of gender microaggressions. As Gartner et al (2020) recommended, future studies may utilize microaggression scales that capture population-specific adaptations (e.g., gendered racial microaggressions; Keum et al, 2018; Lewis & Neville, 2015).…”

How college students in the United States make sense of examples of gender and intersectional microaggressions in classroom settings

“…Gender discrimination is often perpetuated through subtle, or covert sexist jokes or comments that manifest themselves as microaggressions (Gartner et al, 2020). Gender microaggressions occur in various settings including in institutions of higher education (Gartner, 2019;Suárez-Orozco et al, 2015).…”

“…Gender microaggressions contribute to a “chilly climate” where students feel unwelcome or discriminated against (Hall & Sandler, 1982) and may push women away from pursuing certain domains of study (Yang & Carroll, 2016). Much of the research has focused on individuals’ reports of their own experiences of microaggressions (Gartner et al, 2020; Kim & Meister, 2022). Scholars have noted the need to investigate the role of observers who, through their action or inaction, can contribute to a more inclusive climate (Basford et al, 2014; Sue et al, 2019).…”