Research Informs How Portugal’s Colonial Past Still Fuels Microaggressions Against Immigrant Women Today

A study from the Centre for Psychological Research and Social Intervention (CIS-Iscte) and from ICS-ULisboa informs on the subtle yet pervasive forms of discrimination faced by immigrant women in Portugal. The research uncovers how microaggressions – everyday subtle acts of bias – are related to post-colonial narratives that reinforce stereotypes, with the potential for social exclusion.

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Elena Piccinelli, an alumna of Iscte’s Doctoral Program in Psychology, explains that microaggressions are commonly defined as “small, subtle comments or actions that invalidate, insult, or exclude people based on who they are”. Examples include asking “Where are you really from?” or assuming a person is less capable because of their ethnicity or gender. While these may often be dismissed as irrelevant incidents, Elena clarifies that “microaggressions have significant psychological impacts, contributing to stress, feelings of exclusion, and perceptions of not belonging.”, especially since they repeat over time.

Microaggressions have mostly been studied in the USA context, so understanding them in a different post-colonial and cultural setting can inform more effective, context-specific strategies to combat them. The study was part of the Doctoral studies of Elena Piccinelli, supervised by CIS-Iscte researcher Christin-Melanie Vauclair, and resulted from a collaboration with researcher Filipa Madeira (ICS-ULisboa). The goal was to understand how microaggressions affect women from the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) who are living in Portugal.

By relying on focus groups, the research team interviewed over 50 immigrant women from the CPLP countries, all of whom have been living in Portugal for periods ranging from 5 months to 30 years. These women shared their personal experiences of subtle discrimination. The analysis of these interviews revealed over 300 microaggressive incidents, which the researchers organized into nine main themes. Some of these themes, such as assumptions of inferiority, criminality, and cultural generalizations, align with patterns previously documented in U.S.-based research. However, the study also uncovered two themes specific to Portugal’s colonial context: stereotypes related to language and communication (e.g., considering the Portuguese spoken in the CPLPs inferior or incorrect), and the myth of the "good colonizer." These highlight how certain beliefs about the colonial past, such as the idea of the Portuguese colonialism as “benevolent”, continue to shape, even today, social interactions and perceptions in Portugal.

“We employed a dual analytical approach, integrating psychological and sociocultural perspectives, revealing that microaggressions are not just individual acts but are rooted in broader societal narratives.”, Melanie Vauclair clarifies. According to the study, many microaggressions reproduce harmful beliefs that portray immigrant women from former Portuguese colonies, like Brazil and several African countries as inferior, primitive, or hypersexualized. “These are a reflection of racial stereotypes inherited from our colonial past that still persist today.”, explains Filipa Madeira.

From the universe of CPLP immigrants, women often constitute more than half of the population, yet they are paid less than immigrant men and Portuguese natives. In this context, the additional psychological impacts of microaggressions calls for urgent action, including educational programs that challenge colonial-era stereotypes and support services to help immigrant women cope with these subtle forms of discrimination.

"Our work highlights the importance of addressing these underlying societal beliefs to promote empathy and cultural sensitivity.", concludes Elena Piccinelli.

Text written by Pedro Simão Mendes (Science Communication Manager)