A development and validation of the Perceived Language Discrimination Scale.

Abstract

This study was conducted to develop the Perceived Language Discrimination (PLD) scale across three samples of international students. In Sample 1 (N = 224), the seven items of the PLD were selected (α = .94) through an exploratory factor analysis. In Sample 2, a confirmatory factor analysis (N = 222) provided a cross-validation of the one-factor model. Validity was supported by moderate positive associations of perceived language discrimination with depression (r = .35) and anxiety (r = .36), as well as small negative associations of perceived language discrimination with self-esteem (r = -.24) and life satisfaction (r = -.26). Moreover, perceived language discrimination had a large positive association with perceived racial discrimination (r = .62), a moderate negative association with perceived English proficiency (r = -.49), and a relatively weak association with social desirability (r = .14). Finally, perceived language discrimination added significant incremental variance in predicting depression and anxiety over and above perceived racial discrimination and perceived English proficiency, respectively. The results indicated measurement invariance and validity equivalency for the PLD between males and females as well as between the English and Non-English groups. In Sample 3, the estimated 2-week test-retest reliability (N = 31) was .83. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved).

International Students’ Perceived Language Competence, Domestic Student Support, and Psychological Well-Being at a U.S. University

“…Interestingly, perceived language competence was associated with higher levels of two other aspects of well-being, autonomy and personal growth, as well as overall psychological well-being. These findings add to the prior literature that has revealed that perceived language discrimination is predictive of negative mental health outcomes and lower life satisfaction on campus (Wei, Wang, & Ku, 2012). Future investigations can determine the relative contributions of perceived language competency and perceived language discrimination to international students' wellbeing.…”

You speak English well! Asian Americans’ reactions to an exceptionalizing stereotype.

“…The results may not translate to more recent Asian migrants to the U.S., such as international students, who have been found to experience discrimination based on language ability but often of a different nature than exceptionalizing stereotypes (Wei, Wang, & Ku, 2012). There is evidence suggesting that U.S.-born Asian Americans experience racial microaggressions more negatively than Asian-born Americans (Armenta et al, 2013;Siy & Cheryan, 2013).…”

Ethnic–Racial Socialization Practices Among Latino Immigrant Families: A Latent Profile Analysis

“…Example items include “Have you been treated unfairly by people at your child's school because of your ethnicity?” and “Have others ignored you or not paid attention to you because of your ethnicity?” Response options ranged from almost never or never (1) to almost always or always (5), with higher scores indicating higher perceived discrimination. The Perceived Language Discrimination Scale measures “perceived disparity in opportunity or disrespectful or unfair treatment because English is not one's first language” (Wei, Wang, & Ku, , p. 343). Example items include “Others ignore me because of my English” and “My opinions or ideas are not taken seriously because of my English.” However, because some sample participants did not speak any English, the items were modified to read “because of my English or inability to speak English.” Respondents report the extent to which they agree or disagree with each item, with response options ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5).…”