Prevalence and Impacts of Digital Microaggressions on LGBTQ+ Adolescents and Young Adults

Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) youth are often challenged by microaggressions during crucial stages of their identity development. Anti-LGBTQ+ microaggressions—subtle(r) prejudice and discrimination towards sexual/gender minorities—take many forms, such as homophobic/transphobic language and actions.

With the widespread growth of high-speed and mobile internet access, anti-LGBTQ+ microaggressions are increasingly prevalent online. This is concerning, given that experiences of prejudice and discrimination negatively influence LGBTQ+ youths’ health and well-being. However, there remains a lack of knowledge on digital microaggressions. This study examined the prevalence and perceived impacts of digital microaggressions among LGBTQ+ youth, investigating the relationships between digital microaggressions, stress, and well-being. The study objective is consistent with SSWR’s ongoing emphasis on advancing social justice for marginalized populations.

Methods: The study was grounded in Minority Stress Theory. An online survey was conducted with 1,804 LGBTQ+ youth (ages 14–24) from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Respondents completed a battery of instruments, including two measures on LGBTQ+ digital microaggressions, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Psychological Well-Being Scale. They also responded to items about the impacts of digital microaggressions on their emotional well-being, physical health, behavior, identity, peer relationships, and resilience. Respondents also indicated adults they trusted to help them when they experienced digital microaggressions.

Descriptive statistics were run to determine the perceived impacts of digital microaggressions on LGBTQ+ youth. Hierarchical linear regression modeling was then used to investigate the relationships between experiencing digital microaggressions and the various subscales of the Perceived Stress Scale and the Psychological Well-Being Scale.

Results: Virtually all respondents had experienced digital microaggressions. Expectedly, respondents reported digital microaggressions as most impacting their emotional well-being. For example, 81.3% were at least somewhat frustrated, 75.7% were at least somewhat upset, and 73.5% were at least somewhat angry. Most reported few impacts on their physical health, behavior, identity, peer relationships, or resilience. Importantly, only 9.8% of respondents trusted social workers to help them when they experienced digital microaggressions, while 31.2% trusted LGBTQ+ adults, 14.2% trusted teachers, and 11.7% trusted parents.

Results also show that three of the four subscales for experiencing digital microaggressions were significantly associated with greater perceived stress (R² = .316, F(4, 2239) = 61.88, p < .01). Seven hierarchical regression models revealed perceived stress mediated the relationship between digital microaggressions and (1) overall psychological well-being, (2) environmental mastery, (3) personal growth, (4) autonomy, (5) positive relationships with others, and (6) self-acceptance (but not purpose).

Implications: Digital microaggressions occur regularly for LGBTQ+ youth and may have immediate, memorable impacts on emotional well-being. Further, the compilation of microaggressions may harm long-term emotional well-being. These findings are particularly concerning given the lack of trusted adults youth reported they could rely on to support them. Results provide initial evidence for the use of Minority Stress Theory in understanding the influence of digital microaggressions. Future research should continue to explore the relationships between digital microaggressions and mental health, as well as identify potentially co-occurring online protective factors for LGBTQ+ youth.