Abstract
Empirical investigations into the predictive power of microaggressions have shed light on their profound and extensive detrimental effects on the life outcomes of minority groups. In contemporary discourse, microaggressions are not mere fleeting occurrences but rather pervasive, daily experiences that wield significant influence over individual and collective well-being. This current study delves into the role of personal resources and social support as mediators in the relationship between microaggressions and quality of life. The study analyses cross-sectional data from 604 African immigrants in Germany, employing Structural Equation Modelling techniques. Five direct associations were examined alongside three separate mediation analyses to evaluate the predictive effect of microaggressions on quality of life through personal resources, social support, and the combined influence of both. The results indicate a negative association between microaggressions, personal resources, social support, and quality of life. Microaggressions constrain personal resources and social support, thereby compromising quality of life, as evidenced by the attenuating effects observed in the mediation analyses. Furthermore, the serial mediation model highlights the distinct contributions of personal resources and social capital. The findings underscore the serialised nature of microaggression’s impact on quality of life, suggesting that neither personal resources nor social support can fully mitigate its effects. This study posits that microaggressions manifest through immigrants’ social interactions and exchanges, undermining personal resources and social support networks that are essential for enhancing their quality of life.