Microaggression Towards Mental Illness and Related Factors

Year 2025, Issue: 67, 218 - 230, 18.03.2025

Cemile Hürrem Ayhan , Fuat Tanhan , Özge Sukut , Hülya Bilgin , Mehmet Cihad Aktaş , Kadriye Aslan

https://doi.org/10.53568/yyusbed.1591104

Abstract

Microaggressions against individuals with mental illness represent a pervasive form of discrimination that negatively impacts individuals' mental health and well-being. These microaggressions, defined as brief and commonplace verbal, behavioural, or environmental indignities, often convey derogatory messages to marginalized groups, including those with mental health issues. The subtle yet damaging nature of these interactions can lead to profound psychological consequences, including increased anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Understanding the societal and cultural contexts that shape these experiences is essential for developing effective interventions that address the unique needs of individuals with mental illness. In this context, this study, planned as a descriptive and cross-sectional research design, aimed to determine the levels of microaggression and the affecting factors towards individuals with mental illness in the general population. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 312 individuals using purposive sampling method over the age of 18 who were reached via an online questionnaire and agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected by sociodemographic data form, Religious Worldview Scale, Ethnocultural Empathy Scale, Microaggressions Towards Mental Illness Scale. As a result of the regression analysis, female gender, high economic status, and religious beliefs were found to be significant predictors of microaggression towards mental illnesses.

Keywords

microagression, mental illness, empathic awareness, religious worldview

Ruhsal Hastalıklara Yönelik Mikroagresyon ve İlişkili Faktörler

Abstract

Ruhsal hastalığı olan bireylere yönelik mikro saldırılar, bireylerin ruh sağlığını ve iyilik halini olumsuz etkileyen yaygın bir ayrımcılık biçimini temsil eder. Kısa ve sıradan sözlü, davranışsal veya çevresel aşağılamalar olarak tanımlanan bu mikro saldırılar, ruh sağlığı sorunları olan bireyler de dahil olmak üzere marjinal gruplara genellikle aşağılayıcı mesajlar iletir. Bu etkileşimlerin incelikli ancak zarar verici doğası, artan kaygı, depresyon ve sosyal izolasyon gibi derin psikolojik sonuçlara yol açabilir. Bu deneyimleri şekillendiren toplumsal ve kültürel bağlamları anlamak, ruhsal hastalığı olan bireylerin benzersiz ihtiyaçlarını ele alan etkili müdahaleler geliştirmek için esastır. Bu bağlamda tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel bir araştırma deseni olarak planlanan bu çalışma, genel toplumda ruhsal hastalığı olan bireylere yönelik mikro saldırganlık düzeylerini ve etkileyen faktörleri belirlemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Kesitsel tipteki bu çalışma, çevrimiçi anket yoluyla ulaşılan ve çalışmaya katılmayı kabul eden 18 yaş üstü 312 bireyle amaçlı örnekleme yöntemi kullanılarak yürütülmüştür. Veriler sosyodemografik veri formu, Dini Dünya Görüşü Ölçeği, Etno kültürel Empati Ölçeği, Ruhsal Hastalıklara Yönelik Mikro Saldırganlık Ölçeği kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Yapılan regresyon analizi sonucunda kadın cinsiyet, yüksek ekonomik durum ve dini inançların ruhsal hastalıklara yönelik mikroagresyonun önemli birer yordayıcısı olduğu bulunmuştur.

Keywords

mikroagresyon, ruhsal hastalık, empatik farkındalık, dini dünya görüşleri

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