Perceived Race as Variable: Moderating Relationship Between Perceived Discrimination in the Workplace and Mentally...

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Public Health
• Psychology

Background:

• Race is a social construct, meaning experiences of discrimination are based on perceived racial identity.
• Workplace discrimination can negatively affect mental health, leading to an increase in mentally unhealthy days.
• Understanding the interplay between perceived race, discrimination, and mental health is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine how self-identified race and perceived racial identity moderate the relationship between workplace discrimination and mentally unhealthy days.
• To investigate the specific hypotheses regarding different racial identity combinations (WW, NWW, WNW, NWNW) and their association with discrimination and mental health outcomes.
• To identify if perceived Whiteness acts as a protective factor against the negative mental health impacts of workplace discrimination.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the 2014 Reactions to Race module of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from four states (Arizona, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico).
• Analyzed the moderating effects of self-identified race and perceived racial identity on the link between perceived workplace discrimination and mentally unhealthy days.
• Employed statistical analysis to compare outcomes across different racial identity groups: self-identified White/perceived White (WW), self-identified non-White/perceived White (NWW), self-identified White/perceived non-White (WNW), and self-identified non-White/perceived non-White (NWNW).

Main Results:

• Findings indicate that being perceived as White serves as a protective factor.
• Individuals who were self-identified non-White but perceived as White (NWW) experienced less workplace discrimination associated with mentally unhealthy days compared to those who were self-identified non-White and perceived as non-White (NWNW).
• The study partially supported hypotheses, highlighting the significant role of perceived racial identity in mediating the effects of discrimination on mental health.

Conclusions:

• Perceived racial identity, rather than solely self-identified race, plays a critical role in the experience of workplace discrimination and its impact on mental health.
• The perception of being White can buffer the negative mental health consequences of discrimination.
• Future research should continue to explore the nuances of racial perception and its implications for health disparities in diverse occupational settings.