The goal of the current study is to examine the role of ethnic identity as a potential moderator in the relationship between perceived discrimination and psychological distress in a sample of Latino college students. Previous research has demonstrated a moderating effect of ethnic identity on the relationship between perceived discrimination and psychological distress ; however, this study also considers social support and self-esteem as covariates. The study sample consisted of 126 Latino college students. Participants were instructed to complete questionaires at home and researchers collected the surveys one week later.

Based on the correlational findings, Hypothesis 1 was partially supported, where Latinos'/as' perceived discrimination was significantly and positively correlated with symptoms of anxiety and depression, but not with self-esteem. In Hypotheses 2--5, four culturally protective factors were hypothesized as moderators (buffers) on the relations between perceived discrimination and psychological functioning. These four culturally protective factors were enculturation, ethnic identity, familismo, and acculturation. Based on the hierarchical regression findings, none of the identified protective factors were found as moderators on the relations between perceived discrimination and psychological functioning. The study strengths and limitations as well as practical implications and future research are discussed.

Past research has established a relationship between perceived racial discrimination (how frequently a discriminatory situation occurs) and psychological distress (e.g., depression and anxiety). The present study aims to contribute a more detailed view of this relationship by (a) examining cognitive appraisal as a moderator of this relationship and (b) measuring psychological distress at explicit and implicit levels of responding. Cognitive appraisal is the way in which an individual defines and evaluates his or her environment. There are several dimensions of cognitive appraisal that are relevant to the perceived discrimination -- psychological distress relationship, including stressfulness, harmfulness, controllability, and ability to cope. Situations perceived as high harm and stress, low control and ability to cope have been found to account for greater psychological distress. Herein, it is argued that frequently recurring discriminatory events that are perceived as relatively benign (i.e., low harm and stress, high control and ability to cope) can also be linked to psychological distress. Therefore, it was predicted that low harm and stress, high control and ability to cope situations would account for greater psychological distress, especially when these situations occur with greater frequency. In addition, it was argued that racial minority group members may not be fully aware of, or willing to self-report, the adverse effects of perceived discrimination. There may be two distinct levels of thoughts and feelings in relation to perceived discrimination: the consciously accessible and controllable (explicit) level and the inaccessible and automatic (implicit) level. Thus, studying psychological distress at the implicit level may provide additional insights into the detrimental impact of racial discrimination. Data were collected from a sample of 152 Latino college students. The frequency of personal experiences of racial discrimination was assessed using the Schedule of Racist Events. Cognitive appraisals were assessed using a series of items designed to measure stressfulness, harmfulness, controllability, and ability to cope. Two Implicit Association Tests were used to measure the extent to which the self was associated with the concepts "depressed" vs. "happy" and "anxious" vs. "calm." Participants also completed parallel explicit measures of depression and anxiety, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies --Depression Scale. In line with previous research, increased frequency of perceived discrimination was related to greater explicit psychological distress (i.e., depression and anxiety). In addition, decreased controllability and ability to cope were related to increased explicit depression. None of the predicted interaction effects of frequency with the cognitive appraisal dimensions reached statistical significance. Furthermore, there were no significant main effects or interactions on the implicit measures of depression and anxiety. This study provides additional evidence for the link between frequency of perceived discrimination and mental health, and suggests that the role of cognitive appraisal in the perceived discrimination -- mental health relationship may be more tenuous that what is typically assumed.

The current study intended to expand upon psychological research on the Arab American community, which has faced increased discrimination since 9/11 and recent ISIS-related terrorist attacks. Since perceived discrimination has been associated with greater psychological distress among Arab Americans, it is important to determine whether any protective factors are available for this community. In a sample of Arab Americans, the relationship between perceived discrimination and aspects of psychological well-being (i.e., self-esteem, flourishing, and satisfaction with life) were examined in order to gain a better overall picture of Arab American mental health. Because ethnic identity has been recognized as a protective factor against discrimination for other minority groups, it was examined as such for the current sample. Ethnic identity exploration, resolution, and affirmation were studied in relation to psychological well-being, and ethnic identity was studied as a moderator between perceived discrimination and psychological well-being. A recent typology created by Umana-Taylor, Yazedjian, and Bamaca-Gomez was used to classify participants into ethnic identity clusters based on degrees of exploration, resolution, and affirmation. The sample comprised 156 self-identified Arab Americans living in the United States who were at least 18 years of age. Results from multiple regression analyses demonstrated that perceived discrimination was negatively related to self-esteem and flourishing. Ethnic identity exploration was not significantly related to psychological well-being. However, ethnic identity resolution and affirmation were significantly, positively related to self-esteem, flourishing, and satisfaction with life. Ethnic identity affirmation appeared to be a moderator by mitigating the impact of perceived discrimination on flourishing. Based on Umana-Taylor and colleagues' typology, four ethnic identity clusters emerged using a hierarchal cluster analysis, and participants fell into one of the following: (a) Achieved Positive, (b) Diffuse Positive, (c) Moratorium Positive, and (d) Diffuse Negative. Findings are generally consistent with previous research among various minority groups, as well as Erikson's theory and Tajfel's theory. However, the current study suggests that it may be ethnic identity affirmation that serves as protective factor against discrimination, rather than ethnic identity exploration or resolution. Therefore, future studies are encouraged to study the components of ethnic identity independently of one another.

How do people fall in love on the Internet? Why is cyberspace such a violent place? This volume answers these and many other questions, focusing on the psychological well-being of Internet users and the commercial benefits of understanding online behaviour.

This handbook describes ways in which society shapes the mental health of its members, and shapes the lives of those who have been identified as mentally ill. The text explores the social conditions that lead to behaviors defined as mental illness, and the ways in which the concept of mental illness is socially constructed around those behaviors. The book also reviews research that examines socially conditioned responses to mental illness on the part of individuals and institutions, and ways in which these responses affect persons with mental illness. It evaluates where the field has been, identifies its current location and plots a course for the future.

This Handbook presents current research on children and youth in ethnic minority families. It reflects the development currently taking place in the field of social sciences research to highlight the positive adaptation of minority children and youth. It offers a succinct synthesis of where the field is and where it needs to go. It brings together an international group of leading researchers, and, in view of globalization and increased migration and immigration, it addresses what aspects of children and youth growing in ethnic minority families are universal across contexts and what aspects are more context-specific. The Handbook examines the individual, family, peers, and neighborhood/policy factors that protect children and promote positive adaptation. It examines the factors that support children’s social integration, psychosocial adaptation, and external functioning. Finally, it looks at the mechanisms that explain why social adaptation occurs.