Perceptions of ableist microaggressions among target and nontarget groups.

Purpose: There appears to be a negative association between reported microaggressions and mental health. Due to the subjective nature of microaggressions, however, certain factors may affect whether an interaction is perceived as microaggressive. This study investigated perceptions of microaggressions and neutral interactions, and influencing factors.

Research Methods: Participants were 141 self-identified people with a physical or sensory disability, chronic illness, and/or medical condition (target group) and 166 people without these disabilities (nontarget group). Participants read 20 brief vignettes depicting ableist and neutral scenarios via an online survey. Participants indicated whether or not each vignette reflected an ableist microaggression and rated its harmfulness. Participants also completed measures of reported experiences of ableist microaggressions (RAMs) and depression.

Results: The more RAMs that target group members reported, the more likely they were to correctly identify an ableist vignette as a microaggression, and the less likely they were to identify a neutral vignette as a microaggression. Among this group, more RAMs were associated with higher ratings of harmfulness for the neutral vignettes, but not for the ableist vignettes. Participants from target and nontarget groups did not differ in how harmful they rated the ableist vignettes overall. Vignettes where family and friends committed microaggressions were rated as most harmful.

Implications: These findings counter claims that target groups likely misidentify neutral situations as microaggressions. Thus, providers should trust and validate clients' RAMs. Providers should also carefully assess for and process ableist microaggressions committed by family and friends. Further implications for practice and advocacy are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).