Unmasking microaggressions: Experiences of women in clinical and academic psychiatry and the need for systemic reform - Report - MDSpire

Unmasking microaggressions: Experiences of women in clinical and academic psychiatry and the need for systemic reform

  • By

  • Margaret Isioma Ojeahere

  • Anna Rebeka Szczegielniak

  • Helena Niu

  • Chonnakarn Jatchavala

  • Bita Vahdani

  • Saida Heshmati

  • Ruta Karaliuniene

  • Ozge Kilic

  • Chandrima Naskar

  • Mahsa Nahidi

  • Nafisatu Hayatudeen

  • Marwa Nofal

  • Florence Jaguga

  • María Gracia Martínez Guardado

  • Frances Nkechi Adiukwu

  • Estephania Hidalgo

  • Gbonjubola Abiri

  • Fahimeh Saeed

  • Laura Orsolini

  • Mariana Pinto da Costa

  • Nagina Khan

  • June 24, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Revealing Microaggressions in Female Psychiatry Professionals

Overview

This article examines the issue of microaggressions faced by female professionals in psychiatry, highlighting their impact on career progression and psychological well-being.

Background

Microaggressions are subtle forms of discrimination that disproportionately affect marginalized groups, including women in psychiatry. These behaviors contribute to a professional environment where women's contributions are undervalued.

Data Highlights

No numerical data presented in the article.

Key Findings

  • Microaggressions in psychiatry often manifest as implicit biases and dismissive attitudes.
  • 21 women psychiatrists and psychologists from 15 countries reported challenges related to service delivery and career progression.
  • Recurring themes include commentary on physical appearance and dismissal of professional contributions.
  • Microaggressions contribute to psychological distress among female professionals in psychiatry.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare systems must recognize the impact of microaggressions on female professionals.

Conclusion

Addressing microaggressions is vital for improving the professional landscape for women in psychiatry.

Related Resources & Content

  1. The ASCO Post, 2018 -- An Invitation to Be Quiet No Longer
  2. BMC Psychiatry, 2025 -- An ecological momentary assessment of the dynamic relationship between microaggression, idea of reference and affects in patients with first-episode psychosis
  3. the pathologist, 2026 -- Change the System, Not the Women
  4. ACGME Common Program Requirements (Residency), 2025
  5. Sexual Harassment in the Practice of Medicine | AMA-Code
  6. Ethics Opinions, 2025
  7. The ASCO Post — Overcoming Sexism in Academic Medicine
  8. ACGME Common Program Requirements (Residency)
  9. Sexual Harassment in the Practice of Medicine | AMA-Code
  10. Ethics Opinions
  11. Self-Reported Patient-Perpetrated Sexual Harassment Among the US Urological Workforce
  12. An identity on guard: the impact of microaggressions on the professional identity formation of residents | BMC Medical Education | Springer Nature Link
  13. Microaggressions and Cultural Ruptures in Psychiatry: Extending Multicultural Counseling Orientation to Psychiatric Services - PMC
  14. A Narrative Review of Strategies and Interventions to Mitigate Microaggressions as a Form of Workplace Violence - Patricia Marie Fletcher, Christian Paige Owen, Maja Djukic, 2025
  15. The prevalence of incivility in hospitals and the effects of incivility on patient safety culture and outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis - PubMed
  16. A Narrative Review of Strategies and Interventions to Mitigate Microaggressions as a Form of Workplace Violence - PMC

Original Source(s)

Unmasking microaggressions: Experiences of women in clinical and academic psychiatry and the need for systemic reform

  • by Margaret Isioma Ojeahere, Anna Rebeka Szczegielniak, Helena Niu, Chonnakarn Jatchavala, Bita Vahdani, Saida Heshmati, Ruta Karaliuniene, Ozge Kilic, Chandrima Naskar, Mahsa Nahidi, Nafisatu Hayatudeen, Marwa Nofal, Florence Jaguga, María Gracia Martínez Guardado, Frances Nkechi Adiukwu, Estephania Hidalgo, Gbonjubola Abiri, Fahimeh Saeed, Laura Orsolini, Mariana Pinto da Costa, Nagina Khan

  • June 24, 2026

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