Given limited measurement of intersectional microaggressions among those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or additional sexual or gender minority (LGBTQ+) identities and as people of color (POC), this study tested whether differences exist in the factor structure of the LGBT People of Color Microaggression Scale (LGBT-PCMS) between Latina/o/x and non-Latina/o/x POC groups.
Methods:
Using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk, a sample of 491 LGBTQ+ Latina/o/x people and non-Latina/o/x POC (mean age = 29.66 ± 7.60) completed an online survey in December 2018, assessing psychosocial variables, intersectional minority stress measured via the LGBT-PCMS, and perceived stress. Hierarchical confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) assessed the fit of the LGBT-PCMS, with its three subscales specified as first-order latent factors and intersectional minority stress as a second-order latent factor. Invariance testing compared a second-order factor structure of the LGBT-PCMS between LGBTQ+ Latina/o/x people (n = 244) and LGBTQ+ non-Latina/o/x POC (n = 247) groups. Structural equation modeling was used to examine convergent validity with the perceived stress subscales.
Results:
Findings from the second-order CFA showed that the LGBT-PCMS demonstrated acceptable fit across the full sample, LGBTQ+ Latina/o/x people, and LGBTQ+ non-Latina/o/x POC. Full invariance was demonstrated between LGBTQ+ Latina/o/x people and LGBTQ+ non-Latina/o/x POC groups. No link between the LGBT-PCMS and perceived stress subscales emerged.
Conclusion:
The LGBT-PCMS was indistinguishable between LGBTQ+ Latina/o/x people and LGBTQ+ non-Latina/o/x POC, supporting that the LGBT-PCMS can be used as a single measure of intersectional minority stress or separate subscales.
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