Shanna Kattari (they/them) notes that identity-related microaggressions (i.e., common, brief acts that convey derogation or invalidation against people with marginalized identities) are associated with negative mental health outcomes. This awareness is based on previous research on racial microaggressions specifically. The current study investigates whether there is a relationship between ableist microaggressions and the mental health of disabled people (i.e., microaggressions based on prejudice and discrimination towards disabled people). The sample of 311 people ages 19–68 years old was gathered using snowball sampling, a method that is common when trying to sample people from marginalized populations who are often underrepresented in research. Snowball sampling begins as a convenience sample and grows as participants identify additional participants from their own networks. The sample then grows like a snowball as it rolls down a hill. The study participants completed a survey with three sections: demographic information, the Ableist Microaggression Scale, and the Mental Health Inventory. The demographic information included disability status (“Do you consider yourself disabled? Yes/No”), disability type (physical disability, learning disability, etc.), and disability visibility.
Findings include that ableist microaggressions are high for all disabled people. Additionally, those who report more ableist microaggressions also score higher on the mental health inventory (i.e., have worse mental health outcomes). And physically disabled people scored highest on ableist microaggressions and on the mental health inventory, even higher than those with psychiatric disabilities. Limitations include the non-representativeness of the sample, and that cross-sectional data cannot be used to make conclusions about causation. Issues for future study include looking at the intersectional relationship between ableist microaggressions and mental health outcomes for disabled people of color.
