INDIGENOUS MICROAGGRESSION SCALE FOR PAKISTAN: DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION.

Abstract

Background: Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional forms of discrimination that communicate hostility, exclusion, or invalidation toward marginalized groups. Despite growing international literature on microaggressions, there is a paucity of culturally grounded assessment tools for use in Pakistan.

Objectives: The present study aimed to develop and validate the Forman Microaggression Scale (FMS), an indigenous measure designed to capture contextually relevant microaggressive experiences among Pakistani adults.

Method: Using a multistage scale development process, items were generated through literature review, expert consultation, and qualitative inputs. The preliminary pool was administered to a diverse sample of young adults (N=433) to establish preliminary psychometric features of the newly developed measure.

Result: Statistical analyses revealed a stable multidimensional structure reflecting interpersonal, institutional, and identity-based microaggressions. The final scale demonstrated strong internal consistency and satisfactory evidence of construct validity. Findings highlight the importance of culturally sensitive measurement of microaggressions in non-Western contexts.

Conclusion: The Forman Microaggression Scale provides researchers and practitioners in Pakistan with a psychometrically sound tool for assessing subtle discrimination and its psychological impact, with implications for research, clinical practice, and policy.