Examining coping and acculturative stress as mediators between perceived discrimination and internalising symptoms among African immigrants

Abstract

This study examined whether avoidant coping behaviours and acculturative stress functioned as mechanisms linking perceived discrimination to internalising mental health symptoms among African immigrants living in the United States. We used cross‐sectional data collected between December 2019 and January 2020 from US‐based first and second‐generation African immigrants (N = 599, 50% first‐generation, 82% Black, 71% female, mean age = 30). Path modelling was performed to examine the mediating role of avoidant coping and acculturative stress on the relationship between perceived discrimination and internalising symptoms. Results showed that perceived discrimination was related to internalising symptoms via avoidant coping and acculturative stress (specifically social and environmental stress). These results provide support that coping strategies and acculturative stress are likely important micro‐level mechanisms by which the discrimination‐mental health association persists. Implications and recommendations for prevention and intervention to reduce negative impacts of perceived discrimination on immigrant mental health are discussed.