Perceived stress, self-esteem, and everyday discrimination: Examining associations of depression

Existing research indicates that discrimination and stress are negatively associated with mental health. However, few studies examine the multiple factors and intricate connections between discrimination and mental health. Our study addressed this gap by examining the cumulative effects of discrimination, stress, self-esteem, anxiety symptoms, and demographic factors on depressive symptoms. Stratified random sampling was used, yielding 227 participants (149 White and 78 Black). Participants completed a survey designed to assess levels of anxiety, depression, perceived stress, self-esteem, experiences of everyday discrimination, and demographic information. A series of t tests were conducted to examine differences in depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, and discrimination between racial groups. Moreover, a hierarchical regression analysis was performed to identify factors contributing to variations in depression. Our findings indicated that anxiety, perceived stress, and experiences of everyday discrimination were significantly associated with depression, F(4, 221) = 91.75, p < .001, explaining 63% of the total variance. Furthermore, stress, discrimination, and self-esteem were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of systematic screening and assessment for contextual factors, such as discrimination and stress, that influence depressive symptoms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).