Page 118 - Microaggressions in Everyday Live Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

92 microaggressive stress

microaggression process model assumes that microaggressions are stressful,
that the stress - coping dynamics described in the GAS and CDM models are
similar, and that significant harm can result unless mitigated through effec-

tive coping or external intervention. While there are many similarities among
these models, a strong case is often made that microaggressions are simply
not comparable to traumatic events such as rape, overt assaults, and expe-
riencing a natural disaster (e.g., earthquake, volcanic eruption, and fl oods/
hurricanes). Applying these models to microaggressions, they contend, repre-
sents a false analogy. Two lines of research on the impact of daily hassles and
race - related stress challenge this conclusion.

Challenge One — Everyday Hassles and Stress
While it is true that microaggressions, when placed side - by - side with hate
crimes and rapes, may appear minimally harmful and even benign, it is now
known that for harmful effects to occur, the stressors need not be of crisis
proportion (Astin, Ogland - Hand, Foy, & Coleman, 1995; Holmes & Holmes,
1970; Rahe, 1994; Scott & Stradling, 1994). Subtraumatic stressors such as
employment problems, marital distress, and immigration adjustment have all
been shown to be stressful. In fact, seemingly small, everyday events such as

moving to a new neighborhood, driving to work in heavy traffic, breaking up

with a significant other, and changing jobs can create stress and impact health
and personal adjustment. Even a change in a small routine such as sleeping
in another bed, dietary restrictions, or having a houseguest can create stress

(Crandall, Preisler, & Aussprung, 1992). Table 5.1 outlines sample stressors
ranked by college undergraduates for stress. Note that even taking exams, trying
to decide on a major, and sitting through boring classes generate stress. The
point being made by analyzing these studies is that even small demands
on people in the form of “ daily life hassles ” produce stress; thus, entertaining
the notion that microaggressions can be stressful is certainly not far - fetched
(Spangenberg & Pieterse, 1995).

Life Change and Stress
Some 40 years ago, researchers found other interesting correlations with
stress. Not only could small hassles create stress, but two other factors were
important to consider: life change and cumulative impact (Holmes & Rahe,
1967; Holmes & Holmes, 1970). Their pioneering work led to the formulation of
the life - change model which assumes that all changes, large or small, desirable or

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