Development and validation of the microaggression scale for refugees (MSR): Independent contributions of microaggression and experienced stigma to psychological distress and somatic symptoms

Abstract

Background: Refugees face psychosocial challenges after resettling in host nations, including experienced stigma and microaggressions. Microaggressions are subtle/ambiguous discriminatory remarks or behaviors. There is a dearth of research and instruments examining microaggressions faced by refugees. Aims: We developed and validated the Microaggression Scale for Refugees (MSR) among Syrian and Afghan refugees in Türkiye and differentiated the unique/independent nature of microaggressions and experienced stigma and their effects on health. Method: 445 Afghans and 406 Syrians completed the MSR and measures of psychological distress and somatic symptoms. We evaluated the factorial validity of the MSR independently of experienced stigma through the application of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Additionally, we employed multiple-group CFA to assess measurement invariance across Afghan and Syrian populations. Internal reliability was examined using Cronbach's alpha. Associations with relevant constructs were evaluated for convergent validity. Independent roles that experienced stigma and microaggressions play in contributing to psychological and physical symptoms were investigated using hierarchical regression analyses. Results: The MSR's two-factor model of microaggressions and experienced stigma fits the data well, with measurement invariance supported for Syrian and Afghan refugees. The MSR showed good internal reliability (α = 0.93). Convergent validity was supported by high correlations between microaggressions and experienced stigma, somatic symptoms, post-migration difficulties, and contact experiences with the host country. Both experienced stigma and microaggressions contributed independently to explaining variance in psychological and somatic symptoms. Conclusions: The MSR is a psychometrically sound tool to assess microaggressions refugees experience. Results highlight the importance of addressing microaggressions in interventions for refugee/immigrant populations. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.