The kids are alright: a preliminary investigation of the effectiveness of a microaggression training series for adolescents

Abstract

Microaggressions are identity-based indignities that lead to significant negative consequences for receivers. Although most research has focused on the microaggressive experiences of adults, adolescents experience these transgressions in schools, and they find these experiences offensive. As such, preparing high school students to address microaggressions when they receive or witness them and to respond appropriately when they receive feedback about their microaggressive behaviour is imperative. Using a quasi-experimental design, we conducted a preliminary investigation of the effectiveness of a microintervention training for adolescents at a high school in the Midwestern United States. The intervention was effective in producing improvement in assessed knowledge from pre- to post-intervention. Implications and future directions for research are discussed.