The development and validation of the BeLiv Microaggression Scale (long BMS-27, short version BMS-9) – a metacontextual measure of perceived microaggressions

Microaggression has gained attention in the last decade. However, the available research is limited due to a lack of comprehensive measurement. The current article presents the development and validation of a metacontextual measure of microaggression. In Study 1 (Scale Development), a literature review, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) with 66 adults recruited across four South African provinces, expert input (n = 3), cognitive interviews (n = 5), and international harmonisation informed the creation of a 27-item questionnaire. Study 2 (Scale Validation) involved testing the validity and reliability of the scale with a cross-sectional survey of 604 African migrants in Germany. The 27-item metacontextual BeLiv Microaggression Scale (BMS-27) covers three microaggression categories (microinsults, microassaults, invalidation), with subscales examining frequencies (BMS-9), sensitivity, and perceived effects. Cross-correlation with quality of life confirmed each subscale’s measure of microaggression as an adverse social phenomenon. The developed BMS-27 microaggression scale proves reliable for researchers and practitioners. It facilitates nuanced explorations of this pervasive social phenomenon across various contexts and enhances our understanding by providing a comprehensive tool for measuring microaggression prevalence and severity.