Sexist Microaggressions: Traumatic Stressors Mediated by Self-Compassion

Abstract

Women regularly endure sexist microaggressions, which are often associated with anger, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and trauma. The cumulative effects of sexist microaggressions may result in internalized sexism and undermine self-compassion. Notably, prolonged exposure to sexism is associated with trauma symptoms; however, the traumatic effects of sexist microaggressions have remained largely theoretical. Thus, we examined the role of sexist microaggressions as a traumatic stressor and evaluated self-compassion and internalized misogyny as mediators of sexism-based traumatic stress. With a sample of 370 adult cisgender women, results suggested that sexist microaggressions significantly and positively predicted trauma symptomology, and that this relationship was partially mediated by self-compassion but not internalized misogyny. Results supported sexism as a traumatic stressor, and low self-compassion as a mechanism through which sexist microaggressions result in traumatic stress. We discuss implications for research and practice.

The compounded effects of classism and racism on mental health outcomes for African Americans.

“…The potential homogeneity of experiences of racism in this sample of African Americans might have contributed to individual racism not being a significant predictor, whereas classism and the interaction term were. Identity development may also influence individuals’ ability to perceive and name their discriminatory experiences, serving as a moderator (Cherry & Wilcox, 2021; Diemer et al, 2006). Further, our sample had more resources (i.e., they could access a computer and the internet), and likely had more privilege that allowed them to engage in conscientization —being aware of oppression, and thus more likely to report it.…”

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

“…For example, among a sample of undergraduate women, Gartner (2019) found that experiences with gender microaggressions were significantly and positively related to depressive and posttraumatic symptoms. In another example among 370 adult cis-gender women, Cherry and Wilcox (2021) found sexist microaggressions positively predicted trauma symptomology, and this association was partially mediated by selfcompassion. In the current study, we were interested in exploring the link between gender microaggressions and depressive symptoms, which has implications for active-duty women's mental health as well as unit cohesion, morale, mission readiness, and performance (Armistead-Jehle et al, 2011;Gaddes et al, 2017;Pflanz & Ogle, 2006).…”

“…Although researchers have addressed how women experience overt sexual harassment and gender discrimination in the military (Bell et al, 2018; Breslin et al, 2019), far less research has been conducted on covert forms of discrimination in this context. In the current study, we were interested in one form of covert discrimination in the U.S. military—gender microaggressions that target self-identified women (also referred to as sexist microaggressions; Cherry & Wilcox, 2021). Scholars have addressed gender microaggressions in a variety of contexts, such as undergraduate education (Gartner, 2021), medical school (Struble et al, 2022), and the workplace (Basford et al, 2014).…”

“…Subsequent research has documented the associations between gender microaggressions and women's mental health including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and post-traumatic symptoms (Cherry & Wilcox, 2021;Gartner, 2019;Williams & Lewis, 2019). For example, among a sample of undergraduate women, Gartner (2019) found that experiences with gender microaggressions were significantly and positively related to depressive and posttraumatic symptoms.…”

Gendered Racism, Coping, and Traumatic Stress Among Black Women: The Moderating Roles of the Strong Black Woman Schema and Womanist Attitudes

“…Empirical evidence suggests that the cumulative effects (both recent and lifetime) of microaggressions are significantly associated with traumatic stress symptoms. However, most studies have focused on race or gender and do not account for the gendered racial microaggressions of women of color (Abdullah et al, 2021; Cherry & Wilcox, 2021; Torres & Taknint, 2015). Only a few studies have explored the link between gendered racial microaggressions and trauma and have found that Black women who experience greater gendered racial microaggressions also report greater traumatic stress (Dale & Safren, 2019; Moody & Lewis, 2019; Sharma & Dale, 2022; Sissoko et al, 2022; Watson & Henderson, 2022).…”