What are microaffirmations and how are they experienced by gender diverse young people?

Abstract

Research has documented the negative impacts that discrimination and marginalisation can have for gender diverse young people (GDYP), including poorer mental and physical health. Microaffirmations represent one way in which individuals could work to ameliorate these impacts. Microaffirmations are affirming, inclusive acts which communicate care and concern to those from marginalised communities. To date, all literature exploring microaffirmations has been either conceptual or focused on a specific identity group. This systematic literature review used thematic synthesis to build on the current conceptual understanding of microaffirmations by drawing together all empirical literature on microaffirmations, working to develop our understanding of how microaffirmations are described by participants and researchers across identity groups and settings. It was found that microaffirmations are described in a wide range of ways, but what they have in common is how they make people feel - connected, seen and valued - and the context of discrimination and marginalisation in which they exist.
Prior to this research there was no empirical literature exploring the microaffirmation experiences of gender diverse individuals. The current study used an online survey to gather the voices of 97 GDYP, aged 16-25, from 17 countries. Participants shared a total of 142 microaffirmation experiences, which were analysed using codebook thematic analysis which resulted in 11 descriptive themes. The microaffirmation experiences shared by GDYP included the use of inclusive language, curiosity about their identity, being accepted as themselves, and seeing others who share their identity. These microaffirmations normalised their experiences, modelled what was possible and provided external validation that others saw them as they see themselves, leading to their days continuing positively, developing their confidence and connections with others. It is hoped that these findings will contribute to the development of inclusive practices at both a personal and professional level, fostering belonging and inclusion for GDYP around the world.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Amy Brockwell: orcid.org/0009-0002-2684-1476

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