title: Do dimensions of ethnic identity mediate the association between perceived ethnic group discrimination and depressive symptoms?
abstract: Ethnic group discrimination represents a notable risk factor that may contribute to mental health problems among ethnic minority college students. However, cultural resources (e.g., ethnic identity) may promote psychological adjustment in the context of group-based discriminatory experiences. In the current study, we examined the associations between perceptions of ethnic group discrimination and depressive symptoms, and explored dimensions of ethnic identity (i.e., exploration, resolution, and affirmation) as mediators of this process among 2,315 ethnic minority college students (age 18 to 30 years; 37% Black, 63% Latino). Results indicated that perceived ethnic group discrimination was associated positively with depressive symptoms among students from both ethnic groups. The relationship between perceived ethnic group discrimination and depressive symptoms was mediated by ethnic identity affirmation for Latino students, but not for Black students. Ethnic identity resolution was negatively and indirectly associated with depressive symptoms through ethnic identity affirmation for both Black and Latino students. Implications for promoting ethnic minority college students' mental health and directions for future research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago.
authors.forename: Aerika S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Brittian
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Texas at Austin.
authors.forename: Su Yeong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
authors.forename: Brian E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Armenta
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota.
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: T. Denny Sanford School of Social & Family Dynamics, Arizona State University.
authors.forename: Adriana J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Umaña-Taylor
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami.
authors.forename: Seth J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Arizona State University.
authors.forename: Ian K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Villalta
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Smith College.
authors.forename: Byron L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Zamboanga
authors.affiliation: Liberal Studies Department, California State University.
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Weisskirch
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara.
authors.forename: Linda P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Juang
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University.
authors.forename: Linda G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.affiliation: School of Management, University of San Francisco.
authors.forename: Monika L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Hudson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology; D063505:Racism / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D012933:Social Identification; D055815:Young Adult
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