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Table 3 Items with the top five highest frequency and severity scores among the 44 items of theSexist Microaggressions Experiences and Stress Scale (Sexist MESS)

From: Exploring female otolaryngologists’ experiences with gender bias and microaggressions: a cross sectional Canadian survey

Top 5 Most Frequent Items from Sexist MESS

Domain

Average Score (0–3)

Seen images of female bodies in the media that do not reflect your own body

Environmental Invalidations

2.32

Attempted to “overcompensate” for being female

Leaving gender at the door

1.83

Been told that women have all the same rights as men

Invalidation of the reality of women

1.80

Received unsolicited comments about your physical appearance

Sexual Objectification

1.75

Been asked when you are going to have children before you were asked if you want any children at all

Traditional gender roles

1.73

Top 5 Most Severe Items from Sexist MESS

Category

Average Score (0–3)

Someone has assumed a male was responsible for work you actually did

Inferiority

1.78

A male has ignored or dismissed your contribution at work

Inferiority

1.71

Heard someone in a position of authority say that women are to be blamed when they are sexually assaulted

Invalidation of the reality of women

1.59

Hiding emotions at work in order to not appear too emotional

Leaving gender at the door

1.58

Attempted to “overcompensate” for being female

Leaving gender at the door

1.56

  1. Items are ranked on a scale from 0–3, where a score of > 2 is considered “commonly occurring” or “moderately bothersome or stressful”