Perceived Microaggressions and Quality of Life: The Mediating Role of Personal Resources and Social Support among People with African Migration Background in Germany

Perceived Microaggressions and Quality of Life: The Mediating Role of Personal Resources and Social Support among People with African Migration Background in Germany | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Perceived Microaggressions and Quality of Life: The Mediating Role of Personal Resources and Social Support among People with African Migration Background in Germany Adekunle Adedeji, Tosin Yinka Akintunde, Saskia Hanft-Robert, and 4 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3979870/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Empirical investigations into the predictive power of microaggressions have shed light on their profound and extensive detrimental effects on the life outcomes of minority groups. In contemporary discourse, microaggressions are not mere fleeting occurrences but rather pervasive, daily experiences that wield significant influence over individual and collective well-being. This current study delves into the role of personal resources and social support as mediators in the relationship between microaggressions and quality of life. The study analyses cross-sectional data from 604 African immigrants in Germany, employing Structural Equation Modelling techniques. Five direct associations were examined alongside three separate mediation analyses to evaluate the predictive effect of microaggressions on quality of life through personal resources, social support, and the combined influence of both. The results indicate a negative association between microaggressions, personal resources, social support, and quality of life. Microaggressions constrain personal resources and social support, thereby compromising quality of life, as evidenced by the attenuating effects observed in the mediation analyses. Furthermore, the serial mediation model highlights the distinct contributions of personal resources and social capital. The findings underscore the serialised nature of microaggression’s impact on quality of life, suggesting that neither personal resources nor social support can fully mitigate its effects. This study posits that microaggressions manifest through immigrants’ social interactions and exchanges, undermining personal resources and social support networks that are essential for enhancing their quality of life. Biological sciences/Psychology/Human behaviour Health sciences/Health care Health sciences/Risk factors Microaggression Quality of Life Personal Resources Social Support Social Exchange Immigrant Germany Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Background Empirical investigations exploring microaggressions as predictors have illuminated their significant and far-reaching adverse effects on the life outcomes of minority groups [1–3]. Microaggressions, as conceptualised in contemporary discourse, are not merely fleeting instances but rather pervasive, daily occurrences that wield substantial influence on individual and collective well-being. Defined as brief, commonplace verbal, behavioural, and environmental indignities, microaggressions communicate hostile, derogatory, or harmful racial slights and insults to the target person or group [4]. These subtle manifestations of bias are deeply embedded within social interactions, permeating through body language, conversation, social exchange, and social exclusion [2]. Persons with African migration backgrounds residing in Germany may face significant challenges, including pervasive experiences of microaggressions. These experiences are evident through derogatory remarks, stereotypical assumptions, stigmatisation [5] and exclusionary behaviours, which undermine their sense of belonging and erode their self-esteem [6, 7]. These experiences are compounded by structural inequalities, limiting access to education, employment, and healthcare, further marginalising this population. The cumulative effect of microaggressions may contribute to heightened psychological distress, hindering social, economic, and cultural participation [8, 9] and exacerbating already established poor quality of life of persons with African migration backgrounds [10]. Quality of life as a holistic concept encompasses various aspects of an individual’s well-being and satisfaction with life. It reflects not only material wealth or physical health but also the subjective experiences, social-emotional interactions, and personal values that contribute to an individual’s overall sense of fulfilment and happiness [11, 12]. At its core, quality of life is deeply intertwined with social interaction and individual experiences. Findings from previous research have highlighted the role of social interactions in shaping one’s quality of life by providing opportunities for meaningful connections, emotional support, and a sense of belonging and participation within communities [13]. Conversely, social isolation, exclusion or negative social experiences can pose detrimental effects on the quality of life, possibly leading to seclusion, depression, and decreased life satisfaction or social withdrawal [14, 15]. The overreaching impact of microaggressions beyond the momentary encounter, infiltrating various aspects of an individual’s life, has been found to contribute to profound psychological and emotional distress [4]. These negative social experiences have also influenced the qualitative conceptualisation of well-being and may lead to social exclusion [1, 2]. However, there is a notable gap in comprehensive examinations of the manifestations of microaggressions on the quality of life and the mechanisms through which these subtle forms of discrimination manifest and accumulate over time. Understanding these processes is crucial for comprehensively grasping how microaggressions shape marginalised individuals’ experiences and trajectories and developing tailored preventive and intervention measures. For this study, we conjecture that the impact of microaggressions on an individual’s quality of life can be understood through the lens of personal resources and social support. This assumption is supported by the biopsychosocial health model - which highlights patterns of risk and protective factors as predictors of health and life outcomes[16]. - and previous findings also emphasise these factors as psychosocial qualities capable of influencing the effects of stressors on quality of life [17]. Personal resources are individual adaptability characteristics such as coherence, optimism, and the confidence that life experiences will develop positively [18]. This construct emphasises individuals’ internal strengths and capabilities to cope with environmental stressors and challenges. On the other hand, social support involves the network of relationships and assistance individuals receive from others, including emotional support, practical assistance, and social companionship. It summarises the availability of intimate networks and support in the sociocultural environment [19]. Theoretical developments in social interactions and exchanges acknowledge the reciprocal relationship of personal and interpersonal exchange to the larger social or network structure in which they occur [20, 21]. Microaggressions manifest within social interactions involving hostile exchanges that could be a catalyst in disrupting the reciprocity expectations of individuals that are beneficial to the quality of life. Moreover, the transactional and reciprocal nature of social exchange processes illustrates how personal resources may enhance social support through a mutual exchange process whereby people engage in social interaction to improve their personal resources, including emotional energy, optimism, and coherence, and exchange them for social rewards [20]. Understanding social interactions and exchange dynamics is particularly promising because they explicitly link variation in social exchange forms to differences in social solidarity that can help individuals navigate environmental stressors like microaggression [17, 21]. Microaggression is an enervating psychosocial experience in social interaction that may threaten the interplay of personal resources and social support systems available to immigrants. Immigrants confronted with microaggression in social interactions may evaluate their socioenvironmental situation negatively [1]. For instance, immigrants may continually evaluate their social relationships based on the microaggression they encounter versus the psychosocial resources they could access in society. It is well acknowledged that microaggressions have limited psychosocial rewards and may reduce the development of personal resources [2, 3, 22]. This is arguable because microaggressions include invalidations that streamline a section of society from personal development that limits personal resources and social support [4]. As a result of microaggressions compromising personal resources, immigrants may have fewer expectations of positive social benefits such as social support, which may negatively impact their life outcomes. Microaggression may further create inequality in how social power is distributed. Research investigations have decried the extent of socioeconomic and environmental limitations of immigrants, reducing their access to growth opportunities [23]. According to the empirical discourse of microaggression, in situations where the dominant party possesses greater social powers, they have greater control over the social exchange process [3, 24]. One study recounted the narratives of victims of microaggression as a killer experience of socio-micro-traumatic incidents that restrains the ability of immigrants to thrive within society [1]. Having limited access to social power may lead to dependency in relationships. Individuals with greater social power may have more influence within the supportive dynamic, affecting the nature and terms of support exchanged. Microaggression may result in low access to resources for immigrants by compelling them to acquiesce to the demands of those with more social power, i.e., microaggressors, to maintain the relationship and its associated support. With immigrants possessing less social power, they are less likely to possess adequate personal and interpersonal resources to improve their quality of life. On the other hand, repeatedly encountering these subtle forms of discrimination may erode their sense of self-worth, contribute to heightened stress, and consequently impact their subjective quality of life [2] Hypothetically, the reciprocal relationships between personal resources and social support could cushion the adverse effects of microaggressions on quality of life [20, 21]. This assertion is based on the protective elements inherent in social exchanges, such as adaptation and resource investments of individuals [20]. While microaggression may be detrimental to immigrants’ quality of life, they may be capable of initiating relationships that are promotional to personal resources, helping them bond with people who are readily available to support them in times of difficulty [23]. The mutuality and interdependence elements in social exchange and relationships provide reliability and the willingness to support one another [25, 26], foundational for a sturdy and enduring social support system for a better quality of life. No research has investigated these interrelationships of personal resources and social support in discussing microaggression and immigrants’ quality of life. This study seeks to remedy the research limitations by examining the following: direct effects of microaggression on personal resources, social support, and quality of life examine the indirect effects of microaggression on quality of life through personal resources examine the indirect effects of microaggression on quality of life through social support, and the serial effects of personal resources and social support in the association between microaggression and quality of life. Methods Study Design The present analysis examined the structural pathways connecting perceived microaggressions to the quality of life among individuals with an African migration background in Germany. This study explores these relationships through the mediating influences of personal resources and social support. Cross-sectional data from a sample of 604 persons with African migration backgrounds collected across all 16 German federal states were analysed. The participants were adults aged 18 and above with first or second-generation migration backgrounds. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants included in the study. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Basic and Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee (BaSSREC) from North-West University (Ethics Approval Number: NWU-00617-21-A7). All procedures were performed in accordance with relevant guidelines and ethical standards. Data were collected between January and March 2023 using online survey questionnaires in German, English, or French, accessible via LimeSurvey, to accommodate the linguistic diversity of the target population. The target sample size was determined following Monte Carlo`s simulated power analysis for latent variable models proposed by Wolf et al. (2013). A sample size within the range of 390-460 participants is recommended to ensure high statistical power (ranging from 0.80 to 0.95) and detect small effects of .25. These guidelines are based on Wolf et al.’s recommendations specifically tailored for Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFAs) and latent mediation analyses [27]. Participants were recruited following the 5-wave approach – a sampling method developed to randomise the Sudman and Kalton snowball sampling technique [28]. This approach breaks down the discriminative referral system into distinct components, systematically increasing the probability of selection for all members of the sample frame, as described in [29]. The utilisation of this method aims to enhance the overall representativeness of the study findings. Measures Predictor Variables Perceived microaggression was measured using the frequency sub-scale of the Beliv Microaggression Scale (BMS-27) [30]. This subscale captures how often individuals perceive microaggression in their daily lives. Respondents use a 5-point Likert Scale ranging from 0 to 4 to rate nine questions on how frequently they experience microaggressions across the three different categories (microinsults, microassaults, and invalidation) and manifestations (verbal, behavioural, and structural) of microaggression. Consequently, the nine items were grouped into three categories: (1) frequency of microinsults, (2) frequency of microassaults, and (3) frequency of invalidation. Each of these categories is measured with three items. An aggregate subscale score for the 9-item ranged between 0 and 36. Higher scores suggest a higher frequency of perceived microaggressions. Mediating Variables Personal Resources were measured as individual characteristics such as a sense of coherence, optimism, and the general confidence that things will develop positively using the adapted personal resources scale from the Kinder- und Jugendgesundheitssurvey (KiGGS) [18]. Participants were required to rate five items using a 4-point Likert Scale ranging from 1 (Not true) to 4 (Accurately true). For example: To what extent do you agree with the statement, "I can find a solution for every problem”? The aggregate score ranged from 5 to 20. A higher score suggests higher personal resources [18]. Social Support focuses on the availability of intimate networks and support in the context of the sociocultural environment [31, 32]. The level of available social support was measured using the short version of the Social Support Scale (SSS) by Donald & Ware (1984). The brief questionnaire consists of four items tested among samples with diverse backgrounds [34, 35]. Each item is introduced by the sentence: “How often is there someone who ....” followed by items such as “...who listens to you when you feel the need to talk?” or “...who loves you and who makes you feel loved and needed?”. Each question is rated using a 5-point Likert Scale ranging from “never” to “always”. Outcome Variables Participants’ quality of life was assessed using the Bref version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life measure (WHOQOL-BREF), developed by The WHOQOL Group in 1998. This 26-item scale comprises two main components: two items gauge the overall quality of life, and the other two assess subjective health [36]. The remaining 24 items are further divided into four domains: physical (7 items), psychological (6 items), social relationships (3 items), and environment (8 items). Following the WHOQOL user manual guidelines, domain scores were computed and standardised positively. These scores reflect an individual’s perception of their quality of life within each domain. The WHOQOL-BREF is a reliable measure tested and validated across culturally diverse populations [37] and within the SSA migrants’ group in Germany [10]. Covariates The current analysis incorporated sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables as covariates to ensure a comprehensive analysis. Participant age was quantified in years and treated as a continuous variable. Gender was categorised as male, female, divers, or others. The duration of participants’ stay in Germany was also measured as a continuous variable. Moreover, educational attainment was assessed using a categorical scale that covers the German Educational system. This was then converted into the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCE), with six categories ranging from 1 (less than lower secondary education) to 6 (higher tertiary education, including a master’s degree or higher) [38]. This approach allows for a nuanced examination of the influence of these factors on our study outcomes. Statistical Analysis Descriptive statistics of sample demographic and socioeconomic characteristics were reported as means (M), standard deviations (SD), frequencies (n), and percentages (%). The structural model was estimated with data from 604 persons with SSA migration backgrounds living in Germany (collected in 2023). The estimation method was the maximum likelihood, and model fit was assessed based on the comparative fit index (CFI), the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), and the standardised root mean squared residual (SRMR). A model was considered to have a good fit when the CFI ≥ 0.95, the RMSEA ≤ 0.06 (p > .05), and the SRMR ≤ 0.08. An acceptable fit was defined by a CFI ≥ 0.90 and an RMSEA ≤ 0.10 [39, 40]. First, three separate mediation analyses were performed. The first model tested the indirect effect of perceived microaggression on quality of life through personal resources. The second model tested the indirect effect of perceived microaggression on quality of life through social support. The third mediation model assessed perceived microaggression’s indirect effect on quality of life through personal resources and social support. Finally, a full mediation model indicated the direct and indirect paths in predicting quality of life through perceived microaggression, personal resources, and social support with standardised estimates. Gender, age, education, and length of stay were included in the model as control variables. Structural Equation Modelling was performed with an Analysis of Moment Structures 29 (AMOS Development Corporation, Meadville, PA). Results As reported in Table 1 below, descriptive statistics project an average age of 32.25 (SD = 7.68) for the participants. About 40% of the participants were female. The average length of stay in Germany was about nine years (SD = 8.2). Data on education suggest less than one per cent reported less than lower secondary education. In comparison, roughly 44 per cent had completed a university degree. Close to one-fourth of the participants had educational attainment categorised as upper secondary. Table 1 : Frequency and percentage distribution of participants’ sociodemographic and education attainment. (n = 604) M SD Age 32.3 7.7 Length of stay in Germany (years) 9.4 8.2 n % Gender Male 351 58.1 Female 245 40.6 No Answer (System missing) 8 1.3 Educational Attainments ES-ISCED I, less than lower secondary 2 0.3 ES-ISCED II, lower secondary 88 14.6 ES-ISCED III upper secondary 143 23.7 ES-ISCED IV, advanced vocational, sub-degree 99 16.4 ES-ISCED V1, lower tertiary education, BA level 182 30.1 ES-ISCED V2, higher tertiary education, >= MA level 84 13.9 Other 6 1.0 Measurement model As presented in Figure 1 below, the measurement model consists of four latent constructs (social support, personal resources, perceived microaggression, and quality of life) derived from fourteen observed variables. The initial model produced a poor fit, with all five items capturing personal resources and all four items capturing social support. An acceptable fit was achieved after item 1 [To what extent do you agree with the following statements: Whatever happens, I’ll be fine.] from personal resources and item 1 [How often is there someone who listens to you when you feel the need to talk?] from social support were removed from the model. An assessment of the fit indices for the adjusted model showed that the measurement model achieved a satisfactory fit: χ2 (71) = 190.97, p < .001; P CMIN/DF = 2.69; SRMR = .04; CFI = .94; TLI = .92 and RMSEA = .05 [90% CI = (.04, .06)]. All the indicators loaded significantly at p < .001 on their respective latent constructs. Correlation matrix A Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient matrix was computed to examine the association between perceived microaggression, personal resources, social support, quality of life, and sample demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. As presented in Table 2, the results show a weak to moderate inverse correlation between perceived microaggression and all quality of life domains. The aggregate perceived microaggression has the strongest negative association with the environmental domain of quality of life (r = -0.34, p < 0.01) and the weakest association with the social domain (r = -0.16, p < 0.01). Data on the different categories of microaggression further project that invalidation has the strongest association with the environmental domain of quality of life (r = -0.33, p < 0.01), while microassault has the weakest effect on the social relationship domain (r = -0.10, p < 0.01). Similarly, social support (r ranged between -.16 and -.28, p < .01) and personal resources (r ranged between -.14 and -.19, p < .01) had a weak to moderate inverse relationship with perceived microaggression and its different categories. Furthermore, social support had moderate positive associations with all domains of quality of life (r ranged between .33 and .43, p < .01), while personal resources had a weak association (r ranged between -.15 and -.31, p < .01). In contrast, analysis of sociodemographic variables shows that age returned a significant association with all quality of life domains except social relationships but had no significant association with microaggression. Similarly, age had a positive association with personal resources (r = .12, p < .01) but no significant association with social support. Length of stay was significantly associated with social support (r = -.10, p < .05) but no association with personal resources. Similarly, the length of stay in Germany had a significant positive association with aggregate perceived microaggression (r = .11, p < .01) and only the sub-category invalidation (r = .13, p < .01). Regarding the quality of life, the length of stay in Germany shows a weak positive correlation with all domains except for psychological health. Education attainment had a significant negative association with personal resources (r = -.10, p < .05) but a positive association with the perceived microinsult category of microaggressions (r = .09, p < .01). Table 2: Pearson Correlation matrix of participants’ sociodemographic factors, social support, personal resources, microagression and quality of life domains Structural model An examination of the direct relationship between study variables showed that perceived microaggression was inversely related to quality of life (β = -.16, p < .001), personal resources (β = -.25, p < .001), and social support (β = -.38, p < .001). In addition, personal resources were positively associated with social resources (β = .19, p < .001) and quality of life (β = .28, p < .001). The direct relationship between quality of life and social support was positive (β = .48, p < .001) (see Figure 2). Table 3: Mediating effects of personal resources and social support 1,000-Sample Bootstrapping β Lower Upper p PM→ PR → QOL -.065 -.136 -.026 .001 PM → SS → QOL -.167 -.256 -.105 .001 PM → PR→SS → QOL -.021 -.060 -.007 .005 PM = Perceived Microaggression PR = Personal Resources SS = Social Support QOL = Quality of Life The mediation model indicating the indirect paths with standardised estimates is depicted in Table 3 above. For the first indirect path, there is a significant negative relationship between perceived microaggression and quality of life when mediated through personal resources. The standardised estimate (β) of -0.07 suggests a moderate effect. Similarly, the second indirect path indicates a significant negative relationship between perceived microaggression and quality of life when mediated through social support, with a larger effect (β = -0.17). The third model considers both personal resources and social support as mediators. The significant result (β = -0.02) suggests that the combined indirect path is also negatively associated with quality of life. Overall, these findings indicate that perceived microaggression has a negative impact on quality of life, and this effect is partially explained by the mediating factors of personal resources and social support. The third model indicates that these two mediators contribute uniquely to the overall indirect effect. Discussion The study examines the impact of microaggression on SSA immigrants’ quality of life in Germany while also assessing whether personal resources and social support independently and sequentially influence this relationship. The findings indicate a direct inverse relationship between microaggression and quality of life, aligning with results from previous studies that project negative social experiences as a predictor of well-being [ 2 , 22 ]. These findings underscore the adverse effects of microaggression as socio-environmental biases, including environmental injustices, racially derogatory remarks, and insults, on immigrants’ subjective quality of life [ 2 ]. Additionally, further exploration highlights perceived microaggression’s negative direct association with personal resources and social support. His results suggest that exposure to microaggressions diminishes immigrant optimism and positive outlook on life and limits social support. Based on the indirect effects of microaggression on quality of life via personal resources, the study highlights microaggression as stressful experiences that limit immigrants’ personal resources and consequently compromise their quality of life. In agreement with other research, the current analysis emphasises that the brief, commonplace daily verbal, behavioural, and environmental indignities, communicating hostility, derogatory, or harm to SSA immigrants is detrimental to developing a sense of coherence, optimism, and general confidence necessary to lead a successful life [ 41 , 42 ]. Microaggressions in social interactions have been documented as hindering individuals’ functional capabilities to develop as individuals [ 43 ]. Therefore, when microaggressions impede the development of personal resources, they lower their coping resources, which, in turn, may affect the overall quality of life. In contrast with recent empirical evidence that finds social support to have a buffering effect on negative influences of microaggression on life outcomes of racial groups [ 17 ], we found that the mediating effect of social support was significant, with a dampening mediating effect. The findings support the notion that microaggression compromises the quality of life indirectly by first reducing social support for immigrants. We argue that many SSA migrants withdraw from social space as a protective measure against microaggression. Furthermore, in the process of social networking and exchanges, microaggression may create a sense of exclusion for immigrants, limiting their interpersonal interactions by cutting ties with those they look up to for support, eliminating the availability of intimate networks and support in the context of the sociocultural environment [ 19 , 44 , 45 ]. These dynamics of microaggression and reduced social support explain immigrants’ decreased quality of life. Furthermore, the current findings highlight that microaggression indirectly influences the quality of life through personal resources and social support. That is, immigrants who experience microaggression tend to have lower personal resources regardless of perceived social support, which consequently negates their quality of life. Psychosocial attributes such as personal resources and social support have been shown to influence stressors’ impact on quality of life [ 17 ]. However, this interaction could be undermined by microaggressions experienced during interpersonal exchanges in relationships and networks [ 21 , 25 ]. Consequently, microaggression is an enervating psychosocial experience that threatens the reciprocal exchange process in which emotional energy, optimism, and social rewards become insufficient to improve immigrants’ quality of life [ 4 , 25 ]. Microaggressions are associated with socioenvironmental inequalities, as the dominant party has more resources, including social status, and this results in a reduction in immigrants’ psychosocial resources, thus resulting in a decrease in their quality of life [ 1 , 3 ]. This study provides compelling evidence that protective psychosocial resources, such as personal resources and social support, cannot effectively reduce the adverse effects of microaggressions on immigrants’ quality of life. Theoretical and Practical Implication Based on the integration of social exchange theories, this study provides evidence regarding the sequential effects of personal resources and social support on microaggression and quality of life. We argue that microaggression occurs within the socioenvironmental context of immigrants, resulting from social interactions and exchanges. Immigrants require these interactions to promote their quality of life by first ensuring they have sufficient personal resources to harness the available social support within the social environment. Because of these expectations, the effects of microaggression may be more pronounced, significantly limiting their interpersonal and individual capabilities and making social interaction less rewarding. Consequently, microaggressions could disrupt the positive social exchange process that benefits immigrants by limiting personal and interpersonal social functionalities. As a result, quality of life decreases considerably when microaggressions curtail these functionalities. This evidence suggests that supporting immigrants requires understanding psychosocial factors in their social exchange process to curb environmental stressors such as microaggressions. Microaggressions hurt immigrants’ life outcomes, and they face social and environmental limitations as a result. For immigrants to flourish in their host country, optimism, social competence, and self-confidence are essential. Providing immigrants with a safe and microaggression-free environment becomes paramount in policy and interventions to enhance their quality of life. By engendering their personal resources and social support and further negating their quality of life, microaggressions targeting immigrants will continue to disrupt their migration experiences. Limitation Despite this study’s theoretical and practical contributions, it is essential to acknowledge its limitations. The findings are based on a cross-sectional research approach and self-report measures, which may restrict the generalisability of the results. Longitudinal and comparative studies are necessary to explore changes in quality of life over time due to microaggression experiences. Similarly, comparative studies will provide insights into how different cultural contexts or societal norms may influence the impact of microaggressions on quality of life. Furthermore, expanding the model to include other social determinants of quality of life will offer a clearer understanding of the pathways from microaggression experiences to subjective quality of life among minority groups. Factors such as socioeconomic status, acculturation, social integration, and access to resources may interact with microaggressions in complex ways, shaping individuals’ overall well-being. Addressing these limitations through more robust research designs and comprehensive theoretical frameworks will enhance our understanding of the nuanced effects of microaggressions on quality of life and inform more effective interventions to support marginalised communities. Conclusion This study extends empirical discussions on microaggressions, quality of life, and the serial influences of personal resources and social support in a population of SSA immigrants in Germany. Immigrants’ daily interactions, social exchanges, and networks are instrumental to their exposure to microaggressions, which adversely affect their quality of life. Furthermore, these direct associations are not isolated, as microaggressions can indirectly reduce their quality of life by decreasing their available resources and social support. Based on these findings, it is essential to adapt social and socioemotional support for immigrant populations to help them build personal resources to receive positive social rewards that could improve their quality of life. Declarations Informed consent: Written informed consent was obtained from all participants included in the study. Funding : This project was funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation as part of a Feodor Lynen Research Return Fellowship at Constructor University, Bremen, Germany. Conflicts of interest/Competing interests: The authors have no conflict of interest. Data availability statement : Data included in this report are available on request to the corresponding author AA. Ethical statement : Ethical clearance was obtained from the Basic and Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee (BaSSREC) from North-West University (Ethics Approval Number: NWU-00617-21-A7). All procedures were performed in accordance with relevant guidelines and ethical standards of the institutional, national research committee and comparable ethical standards. Author contributions AA: conceptualised and carried out research work, coordinated data analysis and manuscript draft. YTA: Contributed to data collection, analysis and manuscript draft. SHR: Contrubuted to data collection and manuscript draft. SW: Contributed to data analysis and manuscript draft. JQ: Contributed to data analysis and manuscript draft. JB: Contributed to data analysis and manuscript draft. KB: Contributed to research design, data analysis and manuscript draft References Hall, J. 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Der Kinder- und Jugendgesundheitssurvey (KiGGS): Risiken und Ressourcen für die psychische Entwicklung von Kindern und Jugendlichen. Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz , 50 (5–6), 800–809. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-007-0243-5 Nettles, S. M., Mucherah, W., & Jones, S. (2011). Understanding Resilience : The Role of Social Resources. Journal of Education for Student Placed at Risk , (February 2015), 37–41. https://doi.org/10.1080/10824669.2000.9671379 Uehara, E. (1990). Dual Exchange Theory , Social Networks , and Informal Social Support ’, 96 (3). Tornblom, K., & Kazemi, A. (2012). Some Conceptual and Theoretical Issues in Resource Theory of Social Exchange . https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4175-5 Estacio, E. V., & Saidy-Khan, S. (2014). Experiences of Racial Microaggression Among Migrant Nurses in the United Kingdom. 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M., Clark, S. L., & Miller, M. W. (2013). Sample Size Requirements for Structural Equation Models: An Evaluation of Power, Bias, and Solution Propriety. Educational and Psychological Measurement , 76 (6), 913–934. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013164413495237 Sudman, S., & Kalton, G. (1986). New developments in the sampling of special populations. Annual review of Sociology , 12 (1), 401–429. Adedeji, A. (2019). Accessing Sub-Saharan African migrant group for public health interventions, promotion, and research: the 5-wave-approach. Comparative Migration Studies , 7 (1), 30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40878-019-0134-6 Adedeji, A., Hanft-Robert, S., Metzner, F., Buchcik, J., Idemudia, E., & Boehnke, K. (2024). The development and validation of the BeLiv Microaggression Scale (BMS -27) – a metacontextual measure of microaggression . Campbell, K. E., Marsden, P. V., & Hurlbert, J. S. (1986). Social resources and socioeconomic status. 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Psychological Medicine , 28 (3), 551–558. Ohaeri, J. U., & Awadalla, A. W. (2009). The reliability and validity of the short version of the WHO Quality of Life Instrument in an Arab general population. Annals of Saudi Medicine , 29 (2), 98–104. https://doi.org/10.4103/0256-4947.51790 UNESCO Institute for Statistics. (2012). International standard classification of education: ISCED 2011. Comparative Social Research , 30 . Retrieved from https://www.voced.edu.au/content/ngv:54992 Browne, M. W., & Cudeck, R. (1992). Alternative Ways of Assessing Model Fit. Sociological Methods & Research , 21 (2), 230–258. https://doi.org/10.1177/0049124192021002005 Hu, L., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling , 6 (1), 1–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705519909540118 Cobb, C. L., Branscombe, N. R., Meca, A., Schwartz, S. J., Xie, D., Zea, M. C., … Martinez, C. R. (2019). Toward a Positive Psychology of Immigrants. Perspectives on Psychological Science , 14 (4), 619–632. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691619825848 Hashemi, N., Marzban, M., Sebar, B., & Harris, N. (2021). Perceived discrimination and subjective well-being among Middle Eastern migrants in Australia: The moderating role of perceived social support. International Journal of Social Psychiatry , 67 (2), 110–119. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764020940740 Firmin, R. L., Mao, S., Bellamy, C. D., & Davidson, L. (2019). Peer support specialists’ experiences of microaggressions. Psychological services , 16 (3), 456. National Academies of Sciences, E., Division, H. and M., Practice, B. on P. H. and P. H., States, C. on C.-B. S. to P. H. E. in the U., Baciu, A., Negussie, Y., … Weinstein, J. N. (2017). The Root Causes of Health Inequity. In Communities in Action: Pathways to Health Equity . National Academies Press (US). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425845/ Marinucci, M., & Riva, P. (2020). How intergroup social connections shape immigrants’ responses to social exclusion. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations , 24 , 136843021989462. https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430219894620 Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-3979870","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":278003334,"identity":"4fbd9b2b-47dc-4735-a88b-094389ffaa2b","order_by":0,"name":"Adekunle 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Sciences","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Julia","middleName":"","lastName":"Quitmann","suffix":""},{"id":278003339,"identity":"51c03535-52d6-4b00-ac0c-f341d66b0308","order_by":5,"name":"Johanna Buchcik","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Hamburg University of Applied Sciences","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Johanna","middleName":"","lastName":"Buchcik","suffix":""},{"id":278003340,"identity":"aa1574e8-c4de-439f-af7d-aaf91c097cfa","order_by":6,"name":"Klaus Boehnke","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Constructor University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Klaus","middleName":"","lastName":"Boehnke","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2024-02-22 21:35:49","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3979870/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3979870/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":52620164,"identity":"ebff7acb-a217-4596-be72-c895b5336b2c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-03-13 16:43:48","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":118565,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eMeasurement model social support, personal resources, perceived microaggression and quality of life\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3979870/v1/0f76df802fed0d86dfb9d3e8.png"},{"id":52620163,"identity":"4a8883a3-14d3-4ecb-96c9-be0122625f38","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-03-13 16:43:48","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":86738,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eStructural Model: Serial mediating effect of social support and personal resources on the association between \u0026nbsp;perceived microaggression and quality of life\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3979870/v1/3432ed2d0cefa8e9fd36e96f.png"},{"id":58519549,"identity":"d5c84e19-c1b8-4bd8-86b4-cedc6e0389f0","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-06-17 17:50:04","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":705077,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3979870/v1/352ed573-e95a-4d6d-ba69-6556789f3b33.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Perceived Microaggressions and Quality of Life: The Mediating Role of Personal Resources and Social Support among People with African Migration Background in Germany","fulltext":[{"header":"Background","content":"\u003cp\u003eEmpirical investigations exploring microaggressions as predictors have illuminated their significant and far-reaching adverse effects on the life outcomes of minority groups\u0026nbsp;[1–3]. Microaggressions, as conceptualised in contemporary discourse, are not merely fleeting instances but rather pervasive, daily occurrences that wield substantial influence on individual and collective well-being. Defined as brief, commonplace verbal, behavioural, and environmental indignities, microaggressions communicate hostile, derogatory, or harmful racial slights and insults to the target person or group\u0026nbsp;[4]. These subtle manifestations of bias are deeply embedded within social interactions, permeating through body language, conversation, social exchange, and social exclusion\u0026nbsp;[2].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePersons with African migration backgrounds residing in Germany may face significant challenges, including pervasive experiences of microaggressions. These experiences are evident through derogatory remarks, stereotypical assumptions,\u0026nbsp;stigmatisation\u0026nbsp;[5]\u0026nbsp;and exclusionary behaviours, which undermine their sense of belonging and erode their self-esteem\u0026nbsp;[6, 7]. These experiences are compounded by structural inequalities, limiting access to education, employment, and healthcare, further marginalising this population. The cumulative effect of microaggressions may contribute to heightened psychological distress, hindering social, economic, and cultural participation\u0026nbsp;[8, 9]\u0026nbsp;and exacerbating already established poor quality of life of persons with African migration backgrounds\u0026nbsp;[10].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuality of life as a holistic concept encompasses various aspects of an individual’s well-being and satisfaction with life. It reflects not only material wealth or physical health but also the subjective experiences, social-emotional interactions, and personal values that contribute to an individual’s overall sense of fulfilment and happiness\u0026nbsp;[11, 12]. At its core, quality of life is deeply intertwined with social interaction and individual experiences. Findings from previous research have highlighted the role of social interactions in shaping one’s quality of life by providing opportunities for meaningful connections, emotional support, and a sense of belonging and participation within communities\u0026nbsp;[13]. Conversely, social isolation, exclusion or negative social experiences can pose detrimental effects on the quality of life, possibly leading to seclusion, depression, and decreased life satisfaction or social withdrawal\u0026nbsp;[14, 15].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe overreaching impact of microaggressions beyond the momentary encounter, infiltrating various aspects of an individual’s life, has been found to contribute to profound psychological and emotional distress\u0026nbsp;[4]. These negative social experiences have also influenced the qualitative conceptualisation of well-being and may lead to social exclusion\u0026nbsp;[1, 2]. However, there is a notable gap in comprehensive examinations of the manifestations of microaggressions on the quality of life and the mechanisms through which these subtle forms of discrimination manifest and accumulate over time. Understanding these processes is crucial for comprehensively grasping how microaggressions shape marginalised individuals’ experiences and trajectories and developing tailored preventive and intervention measures.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor this study, we conjecture that the impact of microaggressions on an individual’s quality of life can be understood through the lens of personal resources and social support. This assumption is supported by the biopsychosocial health model - which highlights patterns of risk and protective factors as predictors of health and life outcomes[16]. \u0026nbsp;- and previous findings also emphasise these factors as psychosocial qualities capable of influencing the effects of stressors on quality of life\u0026nbsp;[17]. Personal resources are individual adaptability characteristics such as coherence, optimism, and the confidence that life experiences will develop positively\u0026nbsp;[18]. This construct emphasises individuals’ internal strengths and capabilities to cope with environmental stressors and challenges. On the other hand, social support involves the network of relationships and assistance individuals receive from others, including emotional support, practical assistance, and social companionship. It summarises the availability of intimate networks and support in the sociocultural environment\u0026nbsp;[19].\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheoretical developments in social interactions and exchanges acknowledge the reciprocal relationship of personal and interpersonal exchange to the larger social or network structure in which they occur\u0026nbsp;[20, 21]. Microaggressions manifest within social interactions involving hostile exchanges that could be a catalyst in disrupting the reciprocity expectations of individuals that are beneficial to the quality of life. Moreover, the transactional and reciprocal nature of social exchange processes illustrates how personal resources may enhance social support through a mutual exchange process whereby people engage in social interaction to improve their personal resources, including emotional energy, optimism, and coherence, and exchange them for social rewards\u0026nbsp;[20]. Understanding social interactions and exchange dynamics is particularly promising because they explicitly link variation in social exchange forms to differences in social solidarity that can help individuals navigate environmental stressors like microaggression\u0026nbsp;[17, 21].\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMicroaggression is an enervating psychosocial experience in social interaction that may threaten the interplay of personal resources and social support systems available to immigrants. Immigrants confronted with microaggression in social interactions may evaluate their socioenvironmental situation negatively\u0026nbsp;[1]. For instance, immigrants may continually evaluate their social relationships based on the microaggression they encounter versus the psychosocial resources they could access in society. It is well acknowledged that microaggressions have limited psychosocial rewards and may reduce the development of personal resources\u0026nbsp;[2, 3, 22]. This is arguable because microaggressions include invalidations that streamline a section of society from personal development that limits personal resources and social support\u0026nbsp;[4]. As a result of microaggressions compromising personal resources, immigrants may have fewer expectations of positive social benefits such as social support, which may negatively impact their life outcomes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMicroaggression may further create inequality in how social power is distributed. Research investigations have decried the extent of socioeconomic and environmental limitations of immigrants, reducing their access to growth opportunities\u0026nbsp;[23]. According to the empirical discourse of microaggression, in situations where the dominant party possesses greater social powers, they have greater control over the social exchange process\u0026nbsp;[3, 24]. One study recounted the narratives of victims of microaggression as a killer experience of socio-micro-traumatic incidents that restrains the ability of immigrants to thrive within society\u0026nbsp;[1]. Having limited access to social power may lead to dependency in relationships. Individuals with greater social power may have more influence within the supportive dynamic, affecting the nature and terms of support exchanged. Microaggression may result in low access to resources for immigrants by compelling them to acquiesce to the demands of those with more social power, i.e., microaggressors, to maintain the relationship and its associated support. With immigrants possessing less social power, they are less likely to possess adequate personal and interpersonal resources to improve their quality of life.\u0026nbsp;On the other hand, repeatedly encountering these subtle forms of discrimination may erode their sense of self-worth, contribute to heightened stress, and consequently impact their subjective quality of life\u0026nbsp;[2]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHypothetically, the reciprocal relationships between personal resources and social support could cushion the adverse effects of microaggressions on quality of life\u0026nbsp;[20, 21]. This assertion is based on the protective elements inherent in social exchanges, such as adaptation and resource investments of individuals\u0026nbsp;[20]. While microaggression may be detrimental to immigrants’ quality of life, they may be capable of initiating relationships that are promotional to personal resources, helping them bond with people who are readily available to support them in times of difficulty\u0026nbsp;[23]. The mutuality and interdependence elements in social exchange and relationships provide reliability and the willingness to support one another\u0026nbsp;[25, 26], foundational for a sturdy and enduring social support system for a better quality of life.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo research has investigated these interrelationships of personal resources and social support in discussing microaggression and immigrants’ quality of life. This study seeks to remedy the research limitations by examining the following:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003edirect effects of microaggression on personal resources, social support, and quality of life\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eexamine the indirect effects of microaggression on quality of life through personal resources\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eexamine the indirect effects of microaggression on quality of life through social support,\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eand the serial effects of personal resources and social support in the association between microaggression and quality of life.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003ch2\u003eStudy Design\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe present analysis examined the structural pathways connecting perceived microaggressions to the quality of life among individuals with an African migration background in Germany. This study explores these relationships through the mediating influences of personal resources and social support. Cross-sectional data from a sample of 604 persons with African migration backgrounds collected across all 16 German federal states were analysed. The participants were adults aged 18 and above with first or second-generation migration backgrounds. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants included in the study. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Basic and Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee (BaSSREC) from North-West University (Ethics Approval Number: NWU-00617-21-A7). All procedures were performed in accordance with relevant guidelines and \u0026nbsp;ethical standards.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eData were collected between January and March 2023 using online survey questionnaires in German, English, or French, accessible via LimeSurvey, to accommodate the linguistic diversity of the target population. The target sample size was determined following Monte Carlo`s simulated power analysis for latent variable models proposed by\u0026nbsp;Wolf et al. (2013). A sample size within the range of 390-460 participants is recommended to ensure high statistical power (ranging from 0.80 to 0.95) and detect small effects of .25. These guidelines are based on Wolf et al.’s recommendations specifically tailored for Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFAs) and latent mediation analyses\u0026nbsp;[27].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticipants were recruited following the 5-wave approach – a sampling method developed to randomise the Sudman and Kalton snowball sampling technique\u0026nbsp;[28]. This approach breaks down the discriminative referral system into distinct components, systematically increasing the probability of selection for all members of the sample frame, as described in\u0026nbsp;[29]. The utilisation of this method aims to enhance the overall representativeness of the study findings.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeasures\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePredictor Variables\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerceived microaggression was measured using the frequency sub-scale of the Beliv Microaggression Scale (BMS-27)\u0026nbsp;[30]. This subscale captures how often individuals perceive microaggression in their daily lives. Respondents use a 5-point Likert Scale ranging from 0 to 4 to rate nine questions on how frequently they experience microaggressions across the three different categories (microinsults, microassaults, and invalidation) and manifestations (verbal, behavioural, and structural) of microaggression. Consequently, the nine items were grouped into three categories: (1) frequency of microinsults, (2) frequency of microassaults, and (3) frequency of invalidation. Each of these categories is measured with three items. An aggregate subscale score for the 9-item ranged between 0 and 36. Higher scores suggest a higher frequency of perceived microaggressions.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMediating Variables\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePersonal Resources\u003c/strong\u003e were measured as individual characteristics such as a sense of coherence, optimism, and the general confidence that things will develop positively using the adapted personal resources scale from the \u003cem\u003eKinder- und Jugendgesundheitssurvey\u003c/em\u003e (KiGGS)\u0026nbsp;[18]. Participants were required to rate five items using a 4-point Likert Scale ranging from 1 (Not true) to 4 (Accurately true). For example: To what extent do you agree with the statement, \"I can find a solution for every problem”? The aggregate score ranged from 5 to 20. A higher score suggests higher personal resources\u0026nbsp;[18].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSocial Support\u003c/strong\u003e focuses on the availability of intimate networks and support in the context of the sociocultural environment\u0026nbsp;[31, 32]. The level of available social support was measured using the short version of the Social Support Scale (SSS) by\u0026nbsp;Donald \u0026amp; Ware (1984). The brief questionnaire consists of four items tested among samples with diverse backgrounds\u0026nbsp;[34, 35]. Each item is introduced by the sentence: “How often is there someone who ....” followed by items such as “...who listens to you when you feel the need to talk?” or “...who loves you and who makes you feel loved and needed?”. Each question is rated using a 5-point\u0026nbsp;Likert Scale ranging from “never” to “always”.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutcome Variables\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticipants’ quality of life was assessed using the Bref version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life measure (WHOQOL-BREF), developed by The WHOQOL Group in 1998. This 26-item scale comprises two main components: two items gauge the overall quality of life, and the other two assess subjective health\u0026nbsp;[36]. The remaining 24 items are further divided into four domains: physical (7 items), psychological (6 items), social relationships (3 items), and environment (8 items). Following the WHOQOL user manual guidelines, domain scores were computed and standardised positively. These scores reflect an individual’s perception of their quality of life within each domain. The WHOQOL-BREF is a reliable measure tested and validated across culturally diverse populations\u0026nbsp;[37]\u0026nbsp;and within the SSA migrants’ group in Germany\u0026nbsp;[10].\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCovariates\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe current analysis incorporated sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables as covariates to ensure a comprehensive analysis. Participant age was quantified in years and treated as a continuous variable. Gender was categorised as male, female, divers, or others. The duration of participants’ stay in Germany was also measured as a continuous variable. Moreover, educational attainment was assessed using a categorical scale that covers the German Educational system. This was then converted into the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCE), with six categories ranging from 1 (less than lower secondary education) to 6 (higher tertiary education, including a master’s degree or higher)\u0026nbsp;[38]. This approach allows for a nuanced examination of the influence of these factors on our study outcomes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStatistical Analysis\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDescriptive statistics of sample demographic and socioeconomic characteristics were reported as means (M), standard deviations (SD), frequencies (n), and percentages (%).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe structural model was estimated with data from 604 persons with SSA migration backgrounds living in Germany (collected in 2023). The estimation method was the maximum likelihood, and model fit was assessed based on the comparative fit index (CFI), the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), and the standardised root mean squared residual (SRMR). A model was considered to have a good fit when the CFI ≥ 0.95, the RMSEA ≤ 0.06 (p \u0026gt; .05), and the SRMR ≤ 0.08. An acceptable fit was defined by a CFI ≥ 0.90 and an RMSEA ≤ 0.10\u0026nbsp;[39, 40].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst, three separate mediation analyses were performed. The first model tested the indirect effect of perceived microaggression on quality of life through personal resources. The second model tested the indirect effect of perceived microaggression on quality of life through social support. The third mediation model assessed perceived microaggression’s indirect effect on quality of life through personal resources and social support. Finally, a full mediation model indicated the direct and indirect paths in predicting quality of life through perceived microaggression, personal resources, and social support with standardised estimates. Gender, age, education, and length of stay were included in the model as control variables. Structural Equation Modelling was performed with an Analysis of Moment Structures 29 (AMOS Development Corporation, Meadville, PA).\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eAs reported in Table 1 below, descriptive statistics project an average age of 32.25 (SD = 7.68) for the participants. About 40% of the participants were female. The average length of stay in Germany was about nine years (SD = 8.2). Data on education suggest less than one per cent reported less than lower secondary education. In comparison, roughly 44 per cent had completed a university degree. Close to one-fourth of the participants had educational attainment categorised as\u0026nbsp;upper secondary.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;1\u003c/strong\u003e: Frequency and percentage distribution of participants\u0026rsquo; sociodemographic and education attainment. (n = 604)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"6.076388888888889%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"61.111111111111114%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.493055555555557%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eM\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.319444444444443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eSD\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"67.1875%\" colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAge\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.493055555555557%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e32.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.319444444444443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"67.1875%\" colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLength of stay in Germany \u0026nbsp;(years)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.493055555555557%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.319444444444443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"6.076388888888889%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"61.111111111111114%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.493055555555557%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003en\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.319444444444443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e%\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"67.1875%\" colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGender\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.493055555555557%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.319444444444443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"6.076388888888889%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"61.111111111111114%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.493055555555557%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e351\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.319444444444443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e58.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"6.076388888888889%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"61.111111111111114%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.493055555555557%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e245\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.319444444444443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"6.076388888888889%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"61.111111111111114%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo Answer (System missing)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.493055555555557%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.319444444444443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"67.1875%\" colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEducational Attainments\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.493055555555557%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.319444444444443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"6.076388888888889%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"61.111111111111114%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eES-ISCED I, less than lower secondary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.493055555555557%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.319444444444443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"6.076388888888889%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"61.111111111111114%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eES-ISCED II, lower secondary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.493055555555557%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e88\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.319444444444443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"6.076388888888889%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"61.111111111111114%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eES-ISCED III upper secondary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.493055555555557%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e143\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.319444444444443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"6.076388888888889%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"61.111111111111114%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eES-ISCED IV, advanced vocational, sub-degree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.493055555555557%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e99\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.319444444444443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"6.076388888888889%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"61.111111111111114%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eES-ISCED V1, lower tertiary education, BA level\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.493055555555557%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e182\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.319444444444443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"6.076388888888889%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"61.111111111111114%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eES-ISCED V2, higher tertiary education, \u0026gt;= MA level\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.493055555555557%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e84\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.319444444444443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"6.076388888888889%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"61.111111111111114%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOther\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.493055555555557%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.319444444444443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeasurement model\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs presented in Figure 1 below, the measurement model consists of four latent constructs (social support, personal resources, perceived microaggression, and quality of life) derived from fourteen observed variables. The initial model produced a poor fit, with all five items capturing personal resources and all four items capturing social support. An acceptable fit was achieved after item 1 [To what extent do you agree with the following statements: Whatever happens, I\u0026rsquo;ll be fine.] from personal resources and item 1 [How often is there someone who listens to you when you feel the need to talk?] from social support were removed from the model. An assessment of the fit indices for the adjusted model showed that the measurement model achieved a satisfactory fit: \u0026chi;2 (71) = 190.97, p \u0026lt; .001; P CMIN/DF = 2.69; SRMR = .04; CFI = .94; \u0026nbsp;TLI = .92 and RMSEA = .05 [90% CI = (.04, .06)]. All the indicators loaded significantly at p \u0026lt; .001 on their respective latent constructs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCorrelation matrix\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient matrix was computed to examine the association between perceived microaggression, personal resources, social support, quality of life, and sample demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. As presented in Table 2, the results show a weak to moderate inverse correlation between perceived microaggression and all quality of life domains. The aggregate perceived microaggression has the strongest negative association with the environmental domain of quality of life (r = -0.34, p \u0026lt; 0.01) and the weakest association with the social domain (r = -0.16, p \u0026lt; 0.01). Data on the different categories of microaggression further project that invalidation has the strongest association with the environmental domain of quality of life (r = -0.33, p \u0026lt; 0.01), while microassault has the weakest effect on the social relationship domain (r = -0.10, p \u0026lt; 0.01).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimilarly, social support (r ranged between -.16 and -.28, p \u0026lt; .01) and personal resources (r ranged between -.14 and -.19, p \u0026lt; .01) had a weak to moderate inverse relationship with perceived microaggression and its different categories. Furthermore, social support had moderate positive associations with all domains of quality of life (r ranged between .33 and .43, p \u0026lt; .01), while personal resources had a weak association (r ranged between -.15 and -.31, p \u0026lt; .01).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn contrast, analysis of sociodemographic variables shows that age returned a significant association with all quality of life domains except social relationships but had no significant association with microaggression. Similarly, age had a positive association with personal resources (r = .12, p \u0026lt; .01) but no significant association with social support. Length of stay was significantly associated with social support (r = -.10, p \u0026lt; .05) but no association with personal resources. Similarly, the length of stay in Germany had a significant positive association with aggregate perceived microaggression (r = .11, p \u0026lt; .01) and only the sub-category invalidation (r = .13, p \u0026lt; .01). Regarding the quality of life, the length of stay in Germany shows a weak positive correlation with all domains except for psychological health. Education attainment had a significant negative association with personal resources (r = -.10, p \u0026lt; .05) but a positive association with the perceived microinsult category of microaggressions (r = .09, p \u0026lt; .01).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;Table 2: Pearson Correlation matrix of participants\u0026rsquo; sociodemographic factors, social support, personal resources, microagression and quality of life domains\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg 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\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStructural model\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn examination of the direct relationship between study variables showed that perceived microaggression was inversely related to quality of life\u0026nbsp;(\u0026beta; = -.16, p \u0026lt; .001), personal resources (\u0026beta; = -.25, p \u0026lt; .001), and social support (\u0026beta; = -.38, p \u0026lt; .001). In addition, personal resources were positively associated with social resources (\u0026beta; = .19, p \u0026lt; .001) and quality of life\u0026nbsp;(\u0026beta; = .28, p \u0026lt; .001). The direct relationship between quality of life and social support was positive (\u0026beta; = .48, p \u0026lt; .001) (see Figure 2).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 3:\u003c/strong\u003e Mediating effects of personal resources and social support\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"614\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"35.34201954397394%\" rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"64.65798045602605%\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1,000-Sample Bootstrapping\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"26.19647355163728%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026beta;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"23.929471032745592%\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLower\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"26.19647355163728%\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUpper\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"23.67758186397985%\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ep\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"35.34201954397394%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePM\u0026rarr; PR \u0026rarr; QOL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.938110749185668%\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-.065\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"15.472312703583063%\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-.136\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.938110749185668%\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-.026\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"15.309446254071661%\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"35.34201954397394%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePM \u0026rarr; SS \u0026rarr; QOL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.938110749185668%\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-.167\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"15.472312703583063%\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-.256\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.938110749185668%\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-.105\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"15.309446254071661%\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"35.34201954397394%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePM \u0026rarr; PR\u0026rarr;SS \u0026rarr; QOL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.938110749185668%\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-.021\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"15.472312703583063%\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-.060\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"16.938110749185668%\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-.007\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"15.309446254071661%\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.005\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePM = Perceived Microaggression\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePR =\u0026nbsp;Personal Resources\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSS =\u0026nbsp;Social Support\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQOL = Quality of Life\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mediation model indicating the indirect paths with standardised estimates is depicted in Table 3 above. For the first indirect path, there is a significant negative relationship between perceived microaggression and quality of life when mediated through personal resources. The standardised estimate (\u0026beta;) of -0.07 suggests a moderate effect. Similarly, the second indirect path indicates a significant negative relationship between perceived microaggression and quality of life when mediated through social support, with a larger effect (\u0026beta; = -0.17). The third model considers both personal resources and social support as mediators. The significant result (\u0026beta; = -0.02) suggests that the combined indirect path is also negatively associated with quality of life. Overall, these findings indicate that perceived microaggression has a negative impact on quality of life, and this effect is partially explained by the mediating factors of personal resources and social support. The third model indicates that these two mediators contribute uniquely to the overall indirect effect.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe study examines the impact of microaggression on SSA immigrants\u0026rsquo; quality of life in Germany while also assessing whether personal resources and social support independently and sequentially influence this relationship. The findings indicate a direct inverse relationship between microaggression and quality of life, aligning with results from previous studies that project negative social experiences as a predictor of well-being [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e]. These findings underscore the adverse effects of microaggression as socio-environmental biases, including environmental injustices, racially derogatory remarks, and insults, on immigrants\u0026rsquo; subjective quality of life [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. Additionally, further exploration highlights perceived microaggression\u0026rsquo;s negative direct association with personal resources and social support. His results suggest that exposure to microaggressions diminishes immigrant optimism and positive outlook on life and limits social support.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBased on the indirect effects of microaggression on quality of life via personal resources, the study highlights microaggression as stressful experiences that limit immigrants\u0026rsquo; personal resources and consequently compromise their quality of life. In agreement with other research, the current analysis emphasises that the brief, commonplace daily verbal, behavioural, and environmental indignities, communicating hostility, derogatory, or harm to SSA immigrants is detrimental to developing a sense of coherence, optimism, and general confidence necessary to lead a successful life [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e41\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e42\u003c/span\u003e]. Microaggressions in social interactions have been documented as hindering individuals\u0026rsquo; functional capabilities to develop as individuals [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e43\u003c/span\u003e]. Therefore, when microaggressions impede the development of personal resources, they lower their coping resources, which, in turn, may affect the overall quality of life.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn contrast with recent empirical evidence that finds social support to have a buffering effect on negative influences of microaggression on life outcomes of racial groups [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e], we found that the mediating effect of social support was significant, with a dampening mediating effect. The findings support the notion that microaggression compromises the quality of life indirectly by first reducing social support for immigrants. We argue that many SSA migrants withdraw from social space as a protective measure against microaggression. Furthermore, in the process of social networking and exchanges, microaggression may create a sense of exclusion for immigrants, limiting their interpersonal interactions by cutting ties with those they look up to for support, eliminating the availability of intimate networks and support in the context of the sociocultural environment [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR44\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e44\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e45\u003c/span\u003e]. These dynamics of microaggression and reduced social support explain immigrants\u0026rsquo; decreased quality of life.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurthermore, the current findings highlight that microaggression indirectly influences the quality of life through personal resources and social support. That is, immigrants who experience microaggression tend to have lower personal resources regardless of perceived social support, which consequently negates their quality of life. Psychosocial attributes such as personal resources and social support have been shown to influence stressors\u0026rsquo; impact on quality of life [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e]. However, this interaction could be undermined by microaggressions experienced during interpersonal exchanges in relationships and networks [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e]. Consequently, microaggression is an enervating psychosocial experience that threatens the reciprocal exchange process in which emotional energy, optimism, and social rewards become insufficient to improve immigrants\u0026rsquo; quality of life [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e]. Microaggressions are associated with socioenvironmental inequalities, as the dominant party has more resources, including social status, and this results in a reduction in immigrants\u0026rsquo; psychosocial resources, thus resulting in a decrease in their quality of life [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. This study provides compelling evidence that protective psychosocial resources, such as personal resources and social support, cannot effectively reduce the adverse effects of microaggressions on immigrants\u0026rsquo; quality of life.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eTheoretical and Practical Implication\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBased on the integration of social exchange theories, this study provides evidence regarding the sequential effects of personal resources and social support on microaggression and quality of life. We argue that microaggression occurs within the socioenvironmental context of immigrants, resulting from social interactions and exchanges. Immigrants require these interactions to promote their quality of life by first ensuring they have sufficient personal resources to harness the available social support within the social environment. Because of these expectations, the effects of microaggression may be more pronounced, significantly limiting their interpersonal and individual capabilities and making social interaction less rewarding. Consequently, microaggressions could disrupt the positive social exchange process that benefits immigrants by limiting personal and interpersonal social functionalities. As a result, quality of life decreases considerably when microaggressions curtail these functionalities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis evidence suggests that supporting immigrants requires understanding psychosocial factors in their social exchange process to curb environmental stressors such as microaggressions. Microaggressions hurt immigrants\u0026rsquo; life outcomes, and they face social and environmental limitations as a result. For immigrants to flourish in their host country, optimism, social competence, and self-confidence are essential. Providing immigrants with a safe and microaggression-free environment becomes paramount in policy and interventions to enhance their quality of life. By engendering their personal resources and social support and further negating their quality of life, microaggressions targeting immigrants will continue to disrupt their migration experiences.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eLimitation\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite this study\u0026rsquo;s theoretical and practical contributions, it is essential to acknowledge its limitations. The findings are based on a cross-sectional research approach and self-report measures, which may restrict the generalisability of the results. Longitudinal and comparative studies are necessary to explore changes in quality of life over time due to microaggression experiences. Similarly, comparative studies will provide insights into how different cultural contexts or societal norms may influence the impact of microaggressions on quality of life.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurthermore, expanding the model to include other social determinants of quality of life will offer a clearer understanding of the pathways from microaggression experiences to subjective quality of life among minority groups. Factors such as socioeconomic status, acculturation, social integration, and access to resources may interact with microaggressions in complex ways, shaping individuals\u0026rsquo; overall well-being. Addressing these limitations through more robust research designs and comprehensive theoretical frameworks will enhance our understanding of the nuanced effects of microaggressions on quality of life and inform more effective interventions to support marginalised communities.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study extends empirical discussions on microaggressions, quality of life, and the serial influences of personal resources and social support in a population of SSA immigrants in Germany. Immigrants\u0026rsquo; daily interactions, social exchanges, and networks are instrumental to their exposure to microaggressions, which adversely affect their quality of life. Furthermore, these direct associations are not isolated, as microaggressions can indirectly reduce their quality of life by decreasing their available resources and social support. Based on these findings, it is essential to adapt social and socioemotional support for immigrant populations to help them build personal resources to receive positive social rewards that could improve their quality of life.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInformed consent:\u003c/strong\u003e Written informed consent was obtained from all participants included in the study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e: This project was funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation as part of a Feodor Lynen Research Return Fellowship at Constructor University, Bremen, Germany.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConflicts of interest/Competing interests:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThe authors have no conflict of interest.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData availability statement\u003c/strong\u003e: Data included in this report are available on request to the corresponding author AA.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthical statement\u003c/strong\u003e: Ethical clearance was obtained from the Basic and Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee (BaSSREC) from North-West University (Ethics Approval Number: NWU-00617-21-A7). All procedures were performed\u0026nbsp;in accordance with relevant guidelines and \u0026nbsp;ethical standards of the institutional, national research committee and comparable ethical standards.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor contributions\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAA: conceptualised and carried out research work, coordinated data analysis and manuscript draft. YTA: Contributed to data collection, \u0026nbsp;analysis and manuscript draft. SHR: Contrubuted to data collection and manuscript draft. SW: Contributed to data analysis and manuscript draft. JQ: Contributed to data analysis and manuscript draft. JB: Contributed to data analysis and manuscript draft. KB: Contributed to research design, data analysis and manuscript draft\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eHall, J. M., \u0026amp; Fields, B. 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Sample Size Requirements for Structural Equation Models: An Evaluation of Power, Bias, and Solution Propriety. \u003cem\u003eEducational and Psychological Measurement\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e76\u003c/em\u003e(6), 913\u0026ndash;934. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013164413495237\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSudman, S., \u0026amp; Kalton, G. (1986). New developments in the sampling of special populations. \u003cem\u003eAnnual review of Sociology\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e12\u003c/em\u003e(1), 401\u0026ndash;429.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eAdedeji, A. (2019). Accessing Sub-Saharan African migrant group for public health interventions, promotion, and research: the 5-wave-approach. \u003cem\u003eComparative Migration Studies\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e7\u003c/em\u003e(1), 30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40878-019-0134-6\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eAdedeji, A., Hanft-Robert, S., Metzner, F., Buchcik, J., Idemudia, E., \u0026amp; Boehnke, K. (2024). \u003cem\u003eThe development and validation of the BeLiv Microaggression Scale (BMS -27) \u0026ndash; a metacontextual measure of microaggression\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eCampbell, K. E., Marsden, P. V., \u0026amp; Hurlbert, J. S. (1986). Social resources and socioeconomic status. \u003cem\u003eSocial Networks\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e8\u003c/em\u003e(1), 97\u0026ndash;117. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8733(86)80017-X\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eMurray Nettles, S., Mucherah, W., \u0026amp; Jones, D. S. (2000). Understanding Resilience: The Role of Social Resources. \u003cem\u003eJournal of Education for Students Placed at Risk (JESPAR)\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e5\u003c/em\u003e(1\u0026ndash;2), 47\u0026ndash;60. https://doi.org/10.1080/10824669.2000.9671379\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eDonald, C. A., \u0026amp; Ware, J. E. (1984). The measurement of social support. \u003cem\u003eResearch in Community \u0026amp; Mental Health\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eHeitzmann, C. A., \u0026amp; Kaplan, R. M. (1988). Assessment of methods for measuring social support. \u003cem\u003eHealth psychology\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e7\u003c/em\u003e(1), 75.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eKaman, A., Otto, C., Klasen, F., Westenh\u0026ouml;fer, J., Reiss, F., H\u0026ouml;lling, H., \u0026amp; Ravens-Sieberer, U. (2021). Risk and resource factors for depressive symptoms during adolescence and emerging adulthood\u0026ndash;a 5-year follow-up using population-based data of the BELLA study. \u003cem\u003eJournal of affective disorders\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e280\u003c/em\u003e, 258\u0026ndash;266.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe WHOQOL Group. (1998). Development of the World Health Organization WHOQOL-BREF quality of life assessment. \u003cem\u003ePsychological Medicine\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e28\u003c/em\u003e(3), 551\u0026ndash;558.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eOhaeri, J. U., \u0026amp; Awadalla, A. W. (2009). The reliability and validity of the short version of the WHO Quality of Life Instrument in an Arab general population. \u003cem\u003eAnnals of Saudi Medicine\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e29\u003c/em\u003e(2), 98\u0026ndash;104. https://doi.org/10.4103/0256-4947.51790\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eUNESCO Institute for Statistics. (2012). International standard classification of education: ISCED 2011. \u003cem\u003eComparative Social Research\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e30\u003c/em\u003e. Retrieved from https://www.voced.edu.au/content/ngv:54992\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eBrowne, M. W., \u0026amp; Cudeck, R. (1992). 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(2021). Perceived discrimination and subjective well-being among Middle Eastern migrants in Australia: The moderating role of perceived social support. \u003cem\u003eInternational Journal of Social Psychiatry\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e67\u003c/em\u003e(2), 110\u0026ndash;119. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764020940740\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eFirmin, R. L., Mao, S., Bellamy, C. D., \u0026amp; Davidson, L. (2019). Peer support specialists\u0026rsquo; experiences of microaggressions. \u003cem\u003ePsychological services\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e16\u003c/em\u003e(3), 456.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eNational Academies of Sciences, E., Division, H. and M., Practice, B. on P. H. and P. H., States, C. on C.-B. S. to P. H. E. in the U., Baciu, A., Negussie, Y., \u0026hellip; Weinstein, J. N. (2017). The Root Causes of Health Inequity. In \u003cem\u003eCommunities in Action: Pathways to Health Equity\u003c/em\u003e. National Academies Press (US). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425845/\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eMarinucci, M., \u0026amp; Riva, P. (2020). How intergroup social connections shape immigrants\u0026rsquo; responses to social exclusion. \u003cem\u003eGroup Processes \u0026amp; Intergroup Relations\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e24\u003c/em\u003e, 136843021989462. https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430219894620\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Microaggression, Quality of Life, Personal Resources, Social Support, Social Exchange, Immigrant, Germany","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3979870/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3979870/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eEmpirical investigations into the predictive power of microaggressions have shed light on their profound and extensive detrimental effects on the life outcomes of minority groups. In contemporary discourse, microaggressions are not mere fleeting occurrences but rather pervasive, daily experiences that wield significant influence over individual and collective well-being. This current study delves into the role of personal resources and social support as mediators in the relationship between microaggressions and quality of life.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study analyses cross-sectional data from 604 African immigrants in Germany, employing Structural Equation Modelling techniques. Five direct associations were examined alongside three separate mediation analyses to evaluate the predictive effect of microaggressions on quality of life through personal resources, social support, and the combined influence of both.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe results indicate a negative association between microaggressions, personal resources, social support, and quality of life. Microaggressions constrain personal resources and social support, thereby compromising quality of life, as evidenced by the attenuating effects observed in the mediation analyses. Furthermore, the serial mediation model highlights the distinct contributions of personal resources and social capital.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe findings underscore the serialised nature of microaggression\u0026rsquo;s impact on quality of life, suggesting that neither personal resources nor social support can fully mitigate its effects. This study posits that microaggressions manifest through immigrants\u0026rsquo; social interactions and exchanges, undermining personal resources and social support networks that are essential for enhancing their quality of life.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Perceived Microaggressions and Quality of Life: The Mediating Role of Personal Resources and Social Support among People with African Migration Background in Germany","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2024-03-13 16:43:43","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3979870/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"17a9dee9-ce3e-4aaf-bbda-ea570ca807ef","owner":[],"postedDate":"March 13th, 2024","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":29283039,"name":"Biological sciences/Psychology/Human behaviour"},{"id":29283040,"name":"Health sciences/Health care"},{"id":29283041,"name":"Health sciences/Risk factors"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2024-06-17T17:41:57+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2024-03-13 16:43:43","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-3979870","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-3979870","identity":"rs-3979870","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"qtupq5eGEP_6zYnWcrvyt","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}