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. 2015 Jan;51(1):87-100.
doi: 10.1037/a0038432.

Latino adolescents' perceived discrimination in online and offline settings: an examination of cultural risk and protective factors

Adriana J Umaña-Taylor  1 , Brendesha M Tynes  2 , Russell B Toomey  3 , David R Williams  4 , Kimberly J Mitchell  5
Affiliations

Latino adolescents' perceived discrimination in online and offline settings: an examination of cultural risk and protective factors

Adriana J Umaña-Taylor et al. Dev Psychol. 2015 Jan.

Abstract

Guided by a risk and resilience framework, the current study examined the associations between Latino adolescents' (n = 219; Mage = 14.35; SD = 1.75) perceptions of ethnic discrimination in multiple settings (e.g., online, school) and several domains of adjustment (e.g., mental health, academic), and tested whether developmentally salient cultural assets (i.e., ethnic identity) directly promoted youth adjustment or moderated the negative impact of discrimination on adjustment. Each of the 3 ethnic identity components (i.e., exploration, resolution, affirmation) demonstrated evidence of promoting positive outcomes among Latino youth; furthermore, there was some evidence that the promotive effects of affirmation and resolution were significantly stronger for older versus younger adolescents. In addition, with the exception of experiences with discrimination from adults outside of the school setting, there was evidence of ethnic identity interacting with each type of discrimination to predict Latino adolescents' self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and externalizing problems. Findings suggest directions for future research and identify potential targets for intervention that may prove fruitful in programming efforts with Latino adolescents.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Main Effects Structural Equation Model. Standardized estimates are shown. Nonsignificant paths and control variables (i.e., gender, acculturation) are not shown for ease of illustration. *p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Year in school as a moderator of the associations between (a) EI affirmation and externalizing problems, (b) EI resolution and depressive symptoms, (c) individual ORD and externalizing problems, and (d) peer discrimination and self-esteem. Note. EI = Ethnic Identity; ORD = Online Racial Discrimination. *p < .05. **p < .01.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Ethnic identity affirmation as a moderator of the associations between (a) peer discrimination and externalizing problems, (b) vicarious ORD and depressive symptoms, (c) discrimination-adults in school and self-esteem, and (d) vicarious ORD and self-esteem. Note. EI = Ethnic Identity; ORD = Online Racial Discrimination. *p < .05. **p < .01.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Ethnic identity exploration as moderator of the associations between (a) individual ORD and externalizing problems, and (b) discrimination-adults in school and depressive symptoms. Note. EI = Ethnic Identity; ORD = Online Racial Discrimination. *p < .05. **p < .01.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Ethnic identity resolution as moderator of the associations between (a) vicarious ORD and depressive symptoms, (b) peer discrimination and externalizing problems, and (c) discrimination-adults in school and self-esteem. Note. EI = Ethnic identity; ORD = Online Racial Discrimination. *p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.
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