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Perceived Ethnic Stigma Across the Transition to College

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Abstract

Ethnicity-based negative treatment during the transition to college may affect the long-term adjustment of ethnic-minority youth. We examined within-person changes in youths’ perceptions of overt discrimination and their sense of their ethnic group being devalued by the larger society among 563 Latino, European, Asian, and other ethnic minority emerging adults across the transition to college (M age = 17.79, SD = .37, 54.7% female). Analyses tested for group and context differences and associations between perceived discrimination and societal devaluation of their group and adjustment. Results indicate that although perceived discrimination decreases over time, perceived devaluation by society increases. Social context did not affect changes in perceived discrimination and societal devaluation. Whereas perceived discrimination was associated with depressive and somatic symptoms for everyone, perceived societal devaluation was only consequential for ethnic minorities. Future research should identify possible moderators to help students cope with experiences of discrimination and feelings of not being valued by society.

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Acknowledgments

Support for this study was provided by grants from the Russell Sage Foundation and the Haynes Foundation awarded to the second author. Preparation of this manuscript was supported by the University of California, Los Angeles Dissertation Year Fellowship. The authors are grateful for the participation and support from the schools and families involved in this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child and Adolescent Development, California State University, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA, 91330-8263, USA

    Virginia W. Huynh

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Department of Psychology, University of California, 760 Westwood Blvd., Box 62, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA

    Andrew J. Fuligni

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  1. Virginia W. Huynh
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  2. Andrew J. Fuligni
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Correspondence to Virginia W. Huynh.

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Huynh, V.W., Fuligni, A.J. Perceived Ethnic Stigma Across the Transition to College. J Youth Adolescence 41, 817–830 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-011-9731-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-011-9731-x

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