Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 5, 2026
06:15
A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
13.4K
Adolescent Adjustment Problems Mediate the Association Between Racial Discrimination and School Connectedness
Alejandra Fernandez1, Alexandra Loukas2, Natalie M Golaszewski2
1University of Miami, 5030 Brunson Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33126.
The Journal of School Health
|October 24, 2019
Summary
Racial discrimination negatively impacts Hispanic adolescents' school connection, particularly through depressive symptoms in girls and conduct problems in boys. School staff should monitor these students for vulnerability.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Psychology
- Sociology of Education
- Racial Discrimination Studies
Background:
- Previous research links racial discrimination to adolescent adjustment issues.
- Limited studies explore this link among Hispanic adolescents, specifically concerning school connectedness.
- This study investigates mediating roles of adjustment problems in this relationship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the mediating roles of depressive symptoms and conduct problems.
- To understand the association between perceived racial discrimination and school connectedness.
- To analyze these relationships among Hispanic early adolescents.
Main Methods:
- 192 Hispanic middle school students (ages 11-15) participated.
- Multigroup path analyses were used to examine indirect associations.
- Equivalence of associations across genders was assessed.
Main Results:
- Racial discrimination positively correlated with depressive symptoms and conduct problems in both genders.
- Depressive symptoms negatively impacted school connectedness for girls.
- Conduct problems negatively impacted school connectedness for boys.
Conclusions:
- Hispanic adolescents with depressive symptoms or conduct problems are vulnerable.
- Racial discrimination can significantly lower school connectedness for these students.
- School personnel should identify and support at-risk adolescents experiencing discrimination.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
203
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
203
02:55Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
94.7K
Humans are very diverse and although we share many similarities, we also have many differences. The social groups we belong to help form our identities (Tajfel, 1974). These differences may be difficult for some people to reconcile, which may lead to prejudice toward people who are different. Prejudice is a negative attitude and feeling toward an individual based solely on one’s membership in a particular social group (Allport, 1954; Brown, 2010). Prejudice is common against people who...
94.7K
01:27Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison
197
Social comparison plays a fundamental role in the evaluation of personal success and self-worth. Rather than assessing our achievements in isolation, we interpret their significance relative to personal goals and critically in comparison to the performance of others. A grade of B in a mathematics exam might elicit pride if one's expectation was a C, yet result in disappointment if an A was anticipated or if peers achieved superior results. These comparative evaluations illustrate how both...
197
01:30Oppositional Defiant Disorder
558
A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
Diagnostic Criteria and...
558
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
5.7K
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
5.7K
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
209
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group...
209