Intergroup and Within-Group Perceived Discrimination Among U.S.-Born and Foreign-Born Latino Youth

Abstract

Despite the deleterious mental health and health consequences experiences of perceived discrimination can have on ethnic and racial minorities in the United States, a dearth of qualitative studies exist to develop a better understanding of such experiences. As part of a larger study examining psychosocial stress events, and in an effort to fill this gap, this study sought to explore stressful life experiences of intergroup and within-group perceived discrimination among a heterogeneous sample of U.S.-born and foreign-born Latino youth (n = 170) residing in Los Angeles, California, and Trenton, New Jersey. Focus group methodology was implemented, and data were analyzed using grounded theory and constant comparison method. Findings suggest that Latino youths' experiences of intergroup and within-group discrimination vary by nativity status and region of the United States. Findings may be helpful for researchers, practitioners, and others working with Latino youth.

Life experiences of hispanic adolescents: developmental and language considerations in acculturation stress

“…In some cases, these challenges seem overwhelming and result in youth feeling inadequate, hopeless, and stressful. In one recent study, these researchers found language differences in the school setting to be a major source of perceived discrimination among peers (Cordova & Cervantes, 2010). In addition, our findings suggest that bilingual youth living in Spanish-speaking households feel the extra burden of serving as family translators.…”

“…We also expected that Spanish-speaking, lower acculturated youth would be affected differently as well. Cordova and Cervantes (2010), for example found language and communication stressors to be more pronounced than for English-speaking, nonimmigrant youth. We argue that stressors related to minority status are one form of acculturation stress.…”

“…In addition to normative stress that most adolescents face (e.g., school, individuation), they also confront additional stressors related to minority status such as discrimination, increased poverty rates, cultural and language barriers, and immigration challenges (Cordova & Cervantes, 2010;Rice & Dolgin;Suarez-Orozco & Suarez-Orozco, 2001). …”

“…In spite of these findings, relatively little is known with regard to our understanding of stressors experienced by Hispanic adolescents, which could serve as precursors to mental health problems. Only recently have investigators begun to understand the importance of developmental and immigration status factors related to Hispanic student perceptions of stressors (e.g., discrimination; Cordova & Cervantes, 2010). Furthermore, a dearth of research exists aimed at better understanding whether, and the extent to which, stressors vary among Spanish versus English speakers, younger versus older adolescents (middle school vs. high school aged), and how these stressors serve as barriers to promote healthy development in Hispanic youth.…”

Perceptions of Intragroup Rejection and Coping Strategies: Malleable Factors Affecting Hispanic Adolescents’ Emotional and Academic Outcomes

“…Their finding was bolstered by Córdova and Cervantes (2010, p. 268), who concluded that U.S.-born Hispanics “look down on immigrants.” One issue for which U.S.-born Hispanics discriminate against recent immigrants is lack of English proficiency. However, ability to speak Spanish also becomes a source of ingroup discrimination when new immigrants use it as an opportunity for downward comparison.…”