School and neighborhood contexts, perceptions of racial discrimination, and psychological well-being among African American adolescents

Eleanor K. Seaton, Tiffany Yip

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

152 Scopus citations

Abstract

The present study examined contextual influences on the relationship between racial discrimination (individual, cultural, and collective/ institutional) and psychological well-being. Two hundred and fifty two African American adolescents (46% male and 54% female, average age = 16) completed measures of racial discrimination, self-esteem, depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. Archival information regarding the racial/ethnic composition of the participants' neighborhoods and schools was used and increased school diversity was linked to increased perceptions of cultural discrimination. Regardless of school and neighborhood diversity, high perceptions of collective/institutional discrimination were linked to lower self-esteem for students in high diversity settings. Further, high levels of collective/institutional discrimination were associated with lower life satisfaction for African American youth in low diversity settings.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)153-163
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of youth and adolescence
Volume38
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adolescents
  • African American
  • Neighborhood context
  • Psychological well-being
  • Racial discrimination
  • School context

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)

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