Ambiguous microaggressions and stress? Linking process, person and context : an experience sampling study

Aim. The objective of this study was to explore the occurrence and types of microaggressions (MAs) in the daily life of European students and their association with stress. Method. 22 students participated, mostly young, female and visible ethnic minorities. The study used the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) and linear mixed models (LMM) to assess the stress associated with MAs. Participants were asked to complete ESM assessments via mobile devices, reporting instances of racial discrimination and their stress levels five times per day for one week. Results. The results showed that most reported MAs were related to being treated as outsiders/foreigners and as low-achievers. The average stress level was lower for individuals who did not experience any MAs compared to those who did. Further, state ambiguity and intensity were significantly associated with higher stress in two high BLM supporters. Conclusion. High support for the BLM movement may be a protective factor against chronic stress and promote tolerable stress responses. This is the first study to implicate state ambiguity as a factor characterizing MAs in real life.