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

Microaggressions constitute a pervasive and insidious form of discrimination, frequently manifesting as subtle, unconscious and unintentional actions that disproportionately affect individuals based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, culture or disability. Although such phenomena are observed across a wide range of contexts, the present perspective article focuses specifically on women working as providers of healthcare services in psychiatry.

For these professionals, microaggressions commonly take the form of implicit biases, dismissive attitudes and unequal treatment, all of which contribute to a professional environment in which their contributions are systematically undervalued. These behaviours are reinforced by cultural norms and entrenched systemic practices, which serve to normalise discrimination, impede career progression and contribute to psychological distress. Addressing such stereotypes and discriminatory practices at both micro and macro levels is therefore essential.

This article draws on both the existing literature and collective personal experiences, arguing that the complexity of microaggressions in psychiatry necessitates a multidimensional analytical approach. By incorporating the perspectives of 21 women psychiatrists and psychologists from 15 countries across six continents, this perspective identifies recurring challenges related to service delivery and career progression. Cross-regional analysis reveals persistent patterns, including commentary on physical appearance, dismissal of professional contributions, violations of personal boundaries and forms of structural marginalisation. These findings extend the academic understanding of microaggressions in psychiatry and underscore the need for systemic reform and cultural transformation.