Research

The Impact of Racial Microaggressions on Mental Health: Counseling Implications for Clients of Color

Corresponding Author

Department of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York.

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Kevin L. Nadal, Department of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, 524 West 59th Street, New York, NY 10019 (e-mail: knadal@jjay.cuny.edu).Search for more papers by this author

Katie E. Griffin,

Department of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York.

Search for more papers by this author

Yinglee Wong,

Department of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York.

Search for more papers by this author

Sahran Hamit,

Department of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York.

Search for more papers by this author

Morgan Rasmus,

Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University.

Search for more papers by this author

Kevin L. Nadal,

Corresponding Author

Department of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York.

Katie E. Griffin,

Department of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York.

Search for more papers by this author

Yinglee Wong,

Department of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York.

Search for more papers by this author

Sahran Hamit,

Department of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York.

Search for more papers by this author

Morgan Rasmus,

Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University.

Search for more papers by this author

First published: 07 January 2014

https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2014.00130.x

Citations: 138

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between racial microaggressions (subtle and unintentional forms of racial discrimination) and mental health. Results from a large sample (N = 506) indicated that higher frequencies of racial microaggressions negatively predicted participants' mental health and that racial microaggressions were significantly correlated with depressive symptoms and negative affect. Differences in the types of microaggressions experienced by various racial groups (Asian, Latina/o, Black, White, and multiracial) and counseling implications are discussed.