Moderating the association between discrimination and adjustment: a meta-analysis of ethnic/racial identity
Open accessAbstract
The detrimental effects of discrimination are well documented; however, the influence of ethnic/racial identity (ERI) on this association is equivocal. There is theoretical and empirical support for both protective and detrimental effects of ERI. This meta-analysis includes 53 effect sizes from 51 studies and 18,545 participants spanning early adolescence to adulthood to synthesize the interaction of ERI and discrimination for adjustment outcomes. Consistent with existing meta-analyses, discrimination was associated with compromised adjustment; further, this effect was buffered by overall ERI particularly for academic and physical health outcomes. Different ERI dimensions and adjustment outcomes revealed important patterns. ERI exploration increased vulnerabilities associated with discrimination, particularly for negative mental health and risky health behaviors. The exacerbating influence of ERI exploration was strongest at age 24, and more recent publications reported weaker exacerbating effects. In contrast, ERI commitment conferred protection. A composite score of ERI exploration and commitment also conferred protection against discrimination. Sample demographics mattered. The buffering effect of ERI commitment was stronger for Latinx (compared with Asian heritage) individuals. The buffering effect of public regard was stronger for Asian heritage (compared with African heritage) individuals. For positive mental health outcomes, a composite score of ERI exploration and commitment had a stronger buffering effect for Latinx (compared with African heritage) individuals. For risky health behaviors, Latinx individuals reported a stronger buffering effect of ERI (compared with African heritage and Asian heritage) individuals. The current meta-analysis identifies gaps in the literature and offers suggestions for future research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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More adaptive identity processes can buffer the associations of discrimination and peer delinquency with adjustment problems.
“can buffer the associations of discrimination [36] and peer delinquency [30] with adjustment problems”
From Adolescent identity development in context. (2022) · cites this paper as [36]
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References 134 · Cited by 265
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- Authors
- Yip, T., Wang, Y., Mootoo, C., & Mirpuri, S.
- Affiliations
- Michigan State University (US)
- University of Hong Kong (HK)
- Venue
- Developmental Psychology
- Published
- 2019-06
- Volume
- 55
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1274-1298
- ISSN
- 0012-1649 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-0599
- PMC
- PMC6557142
- OpenAlex
- W2945703605
- Cited by
- 265
- References
- 134
- Citations by year
- 2026: 43 · 2025: 40 · 2024: 51 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 36 · 2021: 43 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 6.39
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Developmental Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (R21MD011388)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Racial and Ethnic Identity Research
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Psychosocial Factors Impacting Youth
- Keywords
- ethnic-racial identity, discrimination, psychological adjustment, identity exploration, identity commitment, public regard, buffering effect, mental health, health risk behaviors, educational outcomes, physical health, Hispanic Americans, Asian heritage, African ancestry, adolescence to adulthood
- MeSH terms
- Ethnicity, Humans, Risk-Taking, Social Identification, Racism
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