Unmasking the impact: Racial microaggressions and the health consequences for Latinas in the United States

Researchers conducted an exploratory analysis of the relationship between perceived racial microaggressions and physical and mental health outcomes among Latinas living in the United States. The history of discrimination in the US has created lasting health disparities. Racial microaggressions, subtle forms of discrimination directed towards people of color, have become ubiquitous in the U.S. Research focused on Latinas is limited. This study used a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional design, collecting data online from December 2021 to February 2022, using the Racial Microaggressions Scale (RMAS). A Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) was conducted using the six RMAS sub-scales (Foreigner, Sexualization, Criminality, Low Achieving, Invisibility and Environmental) and three DASS (Depression, Anxiety and Stress). The sample included 659 self-identified Latinas’ data representing 36 states. The full model was statistically significant Wilks’s λ = .907 criterion, F (18, 1887.05) = 3.65, p < .001. with the r 2 type effect size was.093. Another CCA was conducted using the six microaggressions sub-scales previously mentioned as predictors of physical health outcomes using the Physical Health Questionnaire (PHQ) which has four sub-scales. This model was also statistically significant using the Wilks’s λ = .872 criterion, F (24, 2286.23) = 3.82, p < .001. This study found that perceived racial microaggressions in the forms of Low Achieving and Sexualization were associated with negative health outcomes for Latinas in the forms of increased anxiety, and gastrointestinal problems. In addition, when Environmental microaggressions are present the overall effects are lessened. In addition, when Environmental microaggressions are present the overall effects are lessened. Findings revealed that perceived racial microaggressions, particularly Low Achieving and Sexualization, are associated with negative health outcomes for Latinas, particularly including increased anxiety, and gastrointestinal issues, while Environmental microaggressions mitigated these effects.