Comparative Analysis: Social Constructionism and Microaggression Theory

Abstract

Racial microaggressions represent an increasingly recognized form of chronic occupational psychosocial stress, yet their psychological effects remain understudied in African labor contexts. This mixed‑methods study examines how racial microaggressions predict anxiety, depression, perceived discrimination, and suicidal ideation among Malawian employees in Asian‑owned enterprises. Integrating Social Constructionism with Minority Stress Theory (MST), Critical Race Theory (CRT), the Interpersonal‑Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS), and Intersectionality, the study demonstrates how socially constructed racial hierarchies manifest through subtle interpersonal acts and translate into severe psychological harm. Quantitative findings (N = 384) reveal strong correlations between microaggressions and mental‑health outcomes, while qualitative narratives (n = 50) illuminate themes of dehumanization, disposability, and emotional exhaustion. The study provides a multi-level explanatory model and offers policy recommendations aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 16.