About this poster

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Panel information
Panel 2. Cultural Processes

Abstract

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Acculturative stress may occur when there is pressure to retain a native culture while simultaneously navigating and assimilating to a new culture without adequate resources (Berry, 2006). Previous literature has established a link between higher levels of perceived discrimination and higher levels of acculturative stress which then go on to have negative psychological outcomes (Torres et al., 2012). While acculturative stress is traditionally seen as a predicting variable, it is important to understand how to alleviate acculturative stress and understand what protective factors can be used to offset the harmful effects of acculturative stress. Ethnic-racial identity is a multidimensional variable with three subsections, exploration, resolution, and affirmation. Affirmation refers to the positive or negative association that one feels towards their native culture (​​Umaña-Taylor et al., 2004). Having a positive ethnic-racial identity has been linked to positive adjustment and well-being (Rivas-Drake et al., 2014). However, more research is needed to understand the effects of ethnic-racial identity subgroups and how they may serve as a protective factor. To build upon previous literature, this study seeks to understand how perceived discrimination may be associated with acculturative stress and how ethnic-racial affirmation may serve as a protective factor against the harmful effects of discrimination.
Aim
The aim of the study was to determine how discrimination and ethnic-racial affirmation influence acculturative stress among Latinx youth under Berry’s Model for Acculturation (1992). First, we hypothesize that higher levels of discrimination would be related to higher levels of acculturative stress. Secondly, we hypothesize that higher levels of ethnic-racial affirmation will be related to lower levels of acculturative stress. Finally, we hypothesize that higher levels of ethnic-racial affirmation would be a protective factor against discrimination and result in lower levels of acculturative stress.
Methods
The current study examined the relationship between perceived discrimination and acculturative stress moderated by ethnic-racial affirmation among 193 Latinx youth living in rural Southeastern United States. Participants were given interviewer-administered surveys. Mage=15.9, SD=1.46; 54.4% female; 75.6% U.S. born. All measurements used have achieved a Cronbach’s alpha of .80 or more in this study. The hypotheses were tested using a hierarchical regression. Age, gender, and binary country of birth were used as control variables. Significant interactions were examined by graphing a two-way interaction effect at 1 standard deviation of the moderating variable.
Results
Results showed that higher levels of discrimination was associated with higher levels of acculturative stress. Additionally, higher levels of ethnic-racial affirmation was associated with lower levels of acculturative stress. Lastly, ethnic-racial affirmation moderated the association between discrimination and acculturative stress (Table 1). The interaction was graphed (Figure 1) and showed that those with lower levels of ethnic-racial affirmation had a positive association between discrimination and acculturative stress.
These results highlight the role of ethnic-racial affirmation in minimizing stress resulting from discrimination. Future interventions should focus on protective factors that are naturally found among Latinx youth, such as promoting ethnic-racial identity.

Author information

Author	Role
Ruth Elaine Rodriguez, Florida State University	Presenting author
Melinda Gonzales-Backen , Florida State University , United States	Non-presenting author

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