Cisheteronormativity in Mental Healthcare: Microaggressions Against Spanish-Speaking LGBTIQ+ Individuals
Abstract
Microaggressions—covered acts and messages of rejection against minority groups—constitute an important area of research into the prejudice and stigma experienced by LGBTIQ+ individuals within mental healthcare services. Given that most existing research focuses on English-speaking populations, in this qualitative study we seek to shed light on the experiences of Spanish-speaking LGBTIQ+ individuals. We conducted two focus groups comprising a total of 31 participants aged between 22 and 41 years, and then we carried out a thematic analysis drawing on theoretical frameworks of discrimination (psychosocial stress and symbolic violence). We identified two main categories: (1) microaggressions perpetrated by professionals and (2) psychological impact on LGBTIQ+ users. Drawing on these findings, we propose a scheme of the interactional dynamics that would underpin these forms of discriminatory violence. On discussion, we provide a critical analysis of the concept of microaggression, outlining implications for envisioning counter-hegemonic approaches to mental health.
Keywords
Mental health, Social inequality, Gender discrimination, Institutional microaggressions, Epistemic violenceReferences
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