2011 Theses Doctoral

Development and Initial Validation of the Asian American Racial Microaggressions Scale (AARMS): Exploring Asian American Experience with Racial Microaggressions

Lin, Annie I-Chun

This dissertation study focuses on constructing a scale measuring the Asian American experience of racial microaggressions, a contemporary form of prejudice and discrimination. The paucity of research on racial microaggressions, its suitability in capturing the contemporary Asian American experience of racism, and the need for an instrument quantifying this experience are discussed. To develop a quantitative measure on racial microaggressions directed against Asian Americans, a four-step process is proposed: pilot study, exploratory factor analysis, validity analysis, and test-retest reliability analysis. Results, limitations, and implications of the dissertation study are discussed. Suggestions for future research are also given.