Examining the Impact of Racial Microaggressions and Psychological Distress in Latine Individuals: A Focus on PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, and Stress

Latine individuals in the United States face distinct mental health challenges due to unique stressors, including systemic racism and discrimination. While research has established that racial microaggressions—such as daily slights, insults, and invalidations—negatively impact the psychological well-being of people of color, there remains limited scholarship specifically focused on Latine communities. This study examines different types of racial microaggressions—such as invisibility, criminality, and sexualization—as predictors of psychological distress among Latine individuals. A sample of 434 Latine participants completed measures assessing their experiences with racial microaggressions, as well as symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and trauma. Four multiple linear regression models were used to test the predictive relationship between different types of racial microaggressions and psychological distress. Findings indicated that racial microaggressions significantly predicted psychological distress, with racial microaggressions related to sexualization and invisibility emerging as particularly strong predictors. These results highlight the need for further research on protective factors that buffer against the effects of racial microaggressions and the importance of culturally responsive mental health interventions for Latine Americans.