Racial Microaggressions and Coping Strategies Among Indigenous Young Adults

Purpose: Indigenous communities in Taiwan have historically faced racial discrimination. As societal norms around political correctness have evolved, overt expressions of discrimination have shifted to subtler manifestations known as racial microaggressions. These subtle derogatory actions or comments targeting individuals based on race, gender, or other identities can cause considerable psychological distress. In contemporary Taiwan, indigenous young people commonly experience racial microaggressions, affecting their well-being and identity. This study aims to investigate the nuanced experiences of racial microaggressions and the coping strategies utilized by indigenous young adults in Taiwan.

Method/ Analysis: Qualitative, in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 indigenous young adults (aged 22-33) representing diverse indigenous groups in Taiwan. Semi-structured interviews were employed to explore participants' encounters with racial microaggressions and their coping strategies. Thematic analysis was utilized to analyze the interview transcripts. The findings underwent review by indigenous young adult members during the development phase to ensure cultural validity.

Findings: The study identified five major themes: 1) Indigenous young people encounter diverse forms of racial microaggressions from mainstream society, including microinsults (e.g., assumptions about intelligence, meritocracy myths, and stereotypical views) and microinvalidations (e.g., denial of individual racism, envy of affirmative action benefits). 2) Some indigenous young adults experience internal racial microaggressions within their communities, often related to urban backgrounds or mixed heritage, with these internal experiences often having a more profound emotional impact. 3) Racial microaggressions negatively affect mental health, leading to hypervigilance, self-doubt, and interpersonal alienation. 4) When responding to racial microaggressions, Indigenous young adults take into account factors including age, education, acceptance level, behavioral intent, relationship familiarity, and incident setting (public or private). They employ diverse response strategies, such as silence, subtle emotional expression, educational efforts on Indigenous culture and historical context, or assertive verbal retaliation. 5) Peer social support, especially from those with similar experiences, is a vital coping strategy for individuals dealing with racial microaggressions.

Conclusion/ Implication: The findings emphasize the critical role of social support in mitigating racial microaggressions among indigenous young adults. Health interventions and preventive programs should prioritize integrating social support to improve their health and well-being. Furthermore, this study proposes transformative strategies, such as self-awareness training for professionals, public education initiatives, and policy recommendations, to address racial microaggressions effectively.