Page 123 - Microaggressions in Everyday Live Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

The Effects of Microaggressive Stress 97

depend very much on the nature of the challenge posed by the threat and the
perceived available resources of the person. When a marginalized group mem-
ber encounters microaggressive stressors, four pathways may show their neg-
ative impact: (1) biological: there may be direct physiological reactions (blood
pressure, heart rate, etc.) or changes in the immune system; (2) cognitive: it
may place in motion a cognitive appraisal involving thoughts and beliefs
about the meaning of the stressor; (3) emotional: anger, rage, anxiety, depres-
sion, or hopelessness may dominate the person ’ s immediate life circumstance;
and (4) behavioral: the coping strategies or behavioral reactions utilized by the
individual may either enhance adjustment or make the situation worse.

Biological Health Effects of Microaggressive Stressors

Chronic microaggressive stress is the reality of women, LGBTs, and people of
color (Barrett & Logan, 2002; Feagin, 2006; Fiske, 1993; Glick & Fiske, 1996;
Greene, 2000; Hamilton & Mahalik, 2009; Harrell, 2000; Harrell, Hall, &
Taliaferro, 2003; Stambor, 2006). Marginalized groups must deal with monoc-
ultural standards that equate differences with deficiency or deviance; forced

compliance to contradictory cultural role expectations; and pervasive and

chronic prejudice and discrimination have a significant impact upon health
(Brondolo et al., 2009; Clark, Anderson, Clark, & Williams, 1999; Fang &
Myers, 2001; Worthington & Reynolds, 2009). Women who perceived greater

job stress or reported conflicting and contradictory role relationships with
their bosses have been found to have higher fibrinogen levels. Fibrinogen, a

blood - clotting compound, is believed to contribute to coronary heart disease
(Davis, Mathews, Meilahn, & Kiss, 1995). LGBTs who reported experiencing
greater levels of indirect microaggressions (assumption of heterosexuality)
reported more health - related problems (Smith & Ingram, 2004). Studies on
African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latino/Hispanic Americans all
report that race - related stress negatively impacts the biological health of these
groups (Brondolo et al., 2008; Brondolo et al., 2005; Clark et al., 1999; Liang &
Fassinger, 2008; Moradi & Risco, 2006).
These findings are not surprising in light of what we know about social and

psychological stress as it relates to physiological reactivity and detrimental
consequences to the immune system. In a series of studies on subtle racism,
African American men showed increases in heart rate, blood pressure, and
other cardiovascular responding associated with hypertension (Clark, 2006;
Merritt, Bennett, Williams, Edwards, & Sollers, 2006; Utsey & Hook, 2007).

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