Nothing about Us without Us: A Qualitative Investigation of the Experiences of Being a Target of Ableist Microaggressions
| dc.contributor.author | Bell, Ayoka K. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-03-23T00:22:55Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-03-23T00:22:55Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2013 | |
| dc.description.abstract | In recent years there has been an explosion of research examining the experiences ofpeople from various minority groups and the covert forms of discrimination, microaggressions. People with disabilities comprise the largest minority group in the United States (Olkin, 1999). However, minimal research exists on people with disabilities and their experiences with disability microaggressions, which is a covert type of ableism. In support of the movement to promote disability as a part of diversity, this study sought to inductively generate an in-depth understanding of the ableist-based microaggressions that people with visible disabilities experience. This study partially replicates and extends previous research by Keller and Galgay (2010). Current participants included 10 individuals aged 20 to 65 years, who self-identified as persons with visible disabilities and who resided in California's San Francisco Bay Area. Data was collected by way of individual semi-structured interviews. Qualitative conventional content analysis was utilized to examine the interview data, facilitating comparison and contrast with other research on microaggressions, and allowing novel categories to emerge from the data. There were 13 main categories of content related to being a target of ableist microaggressions that emerged. These themes related to themes found in previous research. Three additional major themes emerged for the first time in this research, which were specifically connected to the consequences of being a target of ableist microaggressions. The results ofthis study confirm previous findings from disability microaggressions research, and adds to the field by identifying some ofthe ways that persons with disabilities respond to ableist microaggressions. This study also discusses some of the factors that may protect individuals from some of the negative effects of disability microaggressions. Implications for clinical practice are highlighted. Limitations and recommendations for future research are also discussed. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11803/3059 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher.institution | John F. Kennedy University (JFKU) | |
| dc.subject | "ableism","ableist microaggressions","allies","aversive disablism","disability double bind","disability microaggressions","disability stigma","disablism","resilience","microaggressions","people with disabilities","PWD","relational/attitudinal microaggressions","coping responses to ableist microaggressions" | |
| dc.title | Nothing about Us without Us: A Qualitative Investigation of the Experiences of Being a Target of Ableist Microaggressions | |
| dc.type | Dissertation | |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Psychology | |
| thesis.degree.grantor | John F. Kennedy University (JFKU) | |
| thesis.degree.level | Doctoral | |
| thesis.degree.name | Doctor of Psychology |