Mental Health Outcomes of Discrimination among College Students on a Predominately White Campus: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Racial discrimination is a social stressor harmful to mental health. In this paper, we explore the links between mental health and interpersonal discrimination-related social events, exposure to vicarious racism via social media, and rumination on racial injustices using a daily diary design. We utilize data from a racially diverse sample of 149 college students with 1,489 unique time observations at a large, predominantly white university. Results show that interpersonal discrimination-related social events predicted greater self-reported anger, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and loneliness both daily and on average over time. Vicarious racism from day to day was associated with increased anxiety symptoms. In contrast, rumination was not associated with negative mental health outcomes. These findings document an increased day-today mental health burden for minority students arising from frustrating and alienating social encounters experienced individually or learned about vicariously.

Shedding light on those who provide support

“…"I ended up playing supportive roles because people could not access mental health services." Understanding these interactions is particularly important since mental health issues may disproportionally affect populations already marginalized in higher education ( Jochman et al, 2019 ; Semlyen et al, 2016 ; Ståhlberg et al, 2016 ; Stebleton et al, 2014 ). This could potentially triple the invisible workload of people who live with these health conditions, are underrepresented, and support other at-risk individuals.…”

Youth academic achievement, social context, and body mass index

“…Third, it is possible that such racial differences may manifest later in the life course; this is the first study to examine the pattern of moderation between academic achievement and socioeconomic disadvantage among youth and adolescents. Previous studies document racial differences in young adulthood, when entry into educational and occupational settings may be met with racism and discrimination ( Jochman et al, 2019 ; National Public Radio, RWJF 2017 ; Wingfield & Chavez, 2020 ). Further research is needed to better understand this finding and the life course manifestation of racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in health.…”

“…In addition to the effort required, the status attainment of minoritized groups may be met with particular hostility, racism, and discrimination in predominantly White spaces where historical positions of privilege in the racial hierarchy are threatened ( Anderson 2011 , 2015 ; Ray, 2019 ). Students of marginalized racial/ethnic and class identities may experience added stress in educational settings that value and reinforce historically White and economically privileged norms and behaviors ( Barry, JacksonWatkinsGoodwill, & Hunte, 2017 ; Bentley-Edwards & Chapman-Hilliard, 2015 ; Clayton, 2020 ; Jochman et al, 2019 ). There is evidence that Black students enrolled in predominantly White secondary schools experience poorer health ( Goosby & Walsemann, 2012 ; Jochman et al, 2019 ; Walsemann, Bell, & Goosby, 2011 ).…”

“…Students of marginalized racial/ethnic and class identities may experience added stress in educational settings that value and reinforce historically White and economically privileged norms and behaviors ( Barry, JacksonWatkinsGoodwill, & Hunte, 2017 ; Bentley-Edwards & Chapman-Hilliard, 2015 ; Clayton, 2020 ; Jochman et al, 2019 ). There is evidence that Black students enrolled in predominantly White secondary schools experience poorer health ( Goosby & Walsemann, 2012 ; Jochman et al, 2019 ; Walsemann, Bell, & Goosby, 2011 ). These results support the hypothesis that academic achievement, particularly for minoritized students – by race/ethnicity and class – may experience health deteriorating assaults associated with educational success.…”

Everyday Discrimination, Police-Related Discrimination, and Racial Identity: Predictive Roles in Internalizing Symptoms, Hazardous Alcohol Use, and Life Satisfaction

“…The focus on individuals at this age group was important for three reasons. First, emerging adults in college have more interactions with larger groups of people from diverse backgrounds, this exposure possibly increases the chance that they are confronted by negative racial stereotypes and discriminatory incidents in their social milieu (Jochman et al, 2019). Second, compared to their younger counterparts, emerging adults can engage in more sophisticated understanding of their racial identity with greater levels of cognitive faculties.…”