Microaggression Towards Mental Illness and Related Factors

Microaggressions against individuals with mental illness represent a pervasive form of discrimination that negatively impacts individuals' mental health and well-being. These microaggressions, defined as brief and commonplace verbal, behavioural, or environmental indignities, often convey derogatory messages to marginalized groups, including those with mental health issues. The subtle yet damaging nature of these interactions can lead to profound psychological consequences, including increased anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Understanding the societal and cultural contexts that shape these experiences is essential for developing effective interventions that address the unique needs of individuals with mental illness. In this context, this study, planned as a descriptive and cross-sectional research design, aimed to determine the levels of microaggression and the affecting factors towards individuals with mental illness in the general population. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 312 individuals using purposive sampling method over the age of 18 who were reached via an online questionnaire and agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected by sociodemographic data form, Religious Worldview Scale, Ethnocultural Empathy Scale, Microaggressions Towards Mental Illness Scale. As a result of the regression analysis, female gender, high economic status, and religious beliefs were found to be significant predictors of microaggression towards mental illnesses.