Understanding the Influence of Online Racial Discrimination on Self-Esteem Through the Sense of Belonging

• In Event: Poster Session 11
  In Poster Session: Student Well-Being

Abstract

Racial discrimination has been found to negatively influence self-esteem in K-12 youth. The way in which direct online racial discrimination and vicarious (indirect) racial discrimination influence self-esteem may differ and be related to students’ sense of belonging. This study will examine the effect of belongingness on the relationship between 1) online racial discrimination (direct) and self-esteem and 2) vicarious (indirect) online racial discrimination and self-esteem. Results indicated that belongingness mediated the relationship between vicarious online racial discrimination and self-esteem only. Findings suggest that youth who witness discrimination towards a group they closely identify with may experience low self-esteem due to their weak sense of belonging. Other mediators may better explain the relationship between (direct) online racial discrimination and self-esteem.

Authors

• Bini Sebastian, University of Missouri - Columbia

• Chad Allen Rose, University of Missouri - Columbia

• Christopher D. Slaten, University of Missouri - Columbia