Interpersonal Discrimination and Loneliness in Students of Color at Predominantly White Institutions: Does Racial Identity Matter?

• In Event: 1547 - Young People Constructing Identities

Abstract

Students of color are often exposed to high rates of interpersonal discriminations across both academic and social settings when attending predominantly White colleges and universities (PWIs). These discrimination experiences are linked to diminished mental health and increased feelings of isolation from their counterparts. The current study investigates whether racial identity attitudes have the potential to ameliorate the link between interpersonal discrimination and feelings of loneliness among 146 college students of color attending a large Midwestern PWI. Using nested daily diary data across 14 days, we find that Sellers' assimilationist and private regard identities moderate the association between daily discrimination and reported loneliness, such that scoring high on these identities is protective at the daily level.

Authors

• Marissa Lynn Cardwell, University of Nebraska--Lincoln

• Bridget Goosby, University of Texas at Austin

• Jacob E. Cheadle, The University of Texas at Austin

• Joseph Charles Jochman, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

• Deadric T. Williams, University of Tennessee-Knoxville