Trajectories of Ethnic‐Racial Discrimination Among Ethnically Diverse Early Adolescents: Associations With Psychological and Social Adjustment

Abstract

Using longitudinal data, the authors assessed 585 Dominican, Chinese, and African American adolescents (Grades 6-8, M(age) at W1 = 11.83) to determine patterns over time of perceived ethnic-racial discrimination from adults and peers; if these patterns varied by gender, ethnicity, and immigrant status; and whether they are associated with psychological (self-esteem, depressive symptoms) and social (friend and teacher relationship quality, school belonging) adjustment. Two longitudinal patterns for adult discrimination and three longitudinal patterns for peer discrimination were identified using a semiparametric mixture model. These trajectories were distinct with regard to the initial level, shape, and changes in discrimination. Trajectories varied by gender and ethnicity and were significantly linked to psychological and social adjustment. Directions for future research and practice are discussed.

Annual review of Asian American Psychology, 2014.

“…One study focused on a new subtopic, family communication on discrimination (Juang & Syed, 2014). Most studies targeted emerging adults ( n = 11; e.g., Kushins, 2014) or adults ( n = 8; e.g., Kushins, 2014), with only two studies focusing on adolescents (Cooc & Gee, 2014; Niwa, Way, & Hughes, 2014). Most studies used quantitative designs, such as experimental ( n = 4; e.g., Gibson, Losee, & Vitiello, 2014) and correlational designs, among which were cross-sectional ( n = 10; e.g., I.…”

Annual review of Asian American Psychology, 2013.

“…One study focused on a new subtopic, family communication on discrimination (Juang & Syed, 2014). Most studies targeted emerging adults (n = 11; e.g., Kushins, 2014) or adults (n = 8; e.g., Kushins, 2014), with only two studies focusing on adolescents (Cooc & Gee, 2014;Niwa, Way, & Hughes, 2014). Most studies used quantitative designs, such as experimental (n = 4; e.g., Gibson, Losee, & Vitiello, 2014) and correlational designs, among which were cross-sectional (n = 10; e.g., I. Kim, 2014) and longitudinal designs (Niwa et al, 2014).…”

“…Most studies targeted emerging adults (n = 11; e.g., Kushins, 2014) or adults (n = 8; e.g., Kushins, 2014), with only two studies focusing on adolescents (Cooc & Gee, 2014;Niwa, Way, & Hughes, 2014). Most studies used quantitative designs, such as experimental (n = 4; e.g., Gibson, Losee, & Vitiello, 2014) and correlational designs, among which were cross-sectional (n = 10; e.g., I. Kim, 2014) and longitudinal designs (Niwa et al, 2014). Others used qualitative designs (interview or focus groups, n = 4; e.g., J. Y. Chung, 2014) or mixed methods (Juang & Syed, 2014).…”

“…Analytical methods involved regression (n = 6; e.g., Khan, 2014), analysis of variance (n = 5; e.g., Shih, Wout, & Hambarchyan, 2014), structural equation modeling (Festekjian, Tram, Murray, Sy, & Huynh, 2014;I. Kim, 2014), and group-mixture modeling (Niwa et al, 2014).…”

“…Kim, 2014;Nadal, Wong, Sriken, Griffin, & Fujii-Doe, 2014;Niwa et al, 2014;Yeung & Johnston, 2014), national trends regarding Asian Americans' school victimization (Cooc & Gee, 2014), and whether ethnic or gender stereotype influences female Asian college students' academic performance (Gibson et al, 2014;Shih et al, 2014). We highlight a longitudinal study examining developmental patterns of ethnic-racial discrimination from two sources (adults and peers) and its consequences in Chinese, Dominican, and African American sixth to eighth graders (Niwa et al, 2014). Using a semiparametric mixture model, the study revealed two developmental patterns for adult discrimination (moderate-stable and low-stable) and three developmental patterns for peer discrimination (high-decreasing, moderate-decreasing, and low-decreasing).…”