Trajectories of perceived adult and peer discrimination among Black, Latino, and Asian American adolescents: patterns and psychological correlates

Dev Psychol. 2006 Mar;42(2):218-36. doi: 10.1037/0012-1649.42.2.218.

Abstract

This article presents results from a 3-year longitudinal study of the growth patterns and correlates of perceived discrimination by adults and by peers among Black, Latino, and Asian American high school students. Results revealed a linear increase over time in levels of perceived discrimination by adults, whereas perceptions of discrimination by peers remained stable over time. Asian American and non-Puerto Rican Latino adolescents (primarily Dominican) reported higher levels of peer and/or adult discrimination than did Puerto Rican youth, whereas Black adolescents reported a steeper increase over time in levels of perceived discrimination by peers and by adults than did Puerto Rican adolescents. Peer and adult discrimination was significantly associated with decreased self-esteem and increased depressive symptoms over time. Ethnic identity and ethnicity were found to moderate the relationships between perceived discrimination and changes in psychological well-being over time. Results underscore the need to include perceptions of discrimination when studying the development and well-being of ethnic minority adolescents.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
  • Adult
  • Asian / psychology*
  • Black People / psychology*
  • Female
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Peer Group*
  • Prejudice*
  • Social Behavior
  • Social Identification*
  • Social Perception*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires