Perceived discrimination amongst young people in socio‐economically disadvantaged communities: Parental support and community identity buffer (some) negative impacts of stigma

Abstract

There is increasing acceptance that children are not unaware of when they are targets of discrimination. However, discrimination as a consequence of socio‐economic disadvantage remains understudied. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of perceived discrimination on well‐being, perceptions of safety and school integration amongst children growing up within socio‐economically disadvantaged communities in Limerick, Ireland. Mediation analysis was used to explore these relationships and to examine the potential role of parental support and community identity in boys and girls in the 6th to 9th year of compulsory education (N = 199). Results indicate perceived discrimination contributed to negative outcomes in terms of school integration, perceptions of safety and levels of well‐being. Age and gender differences were observed which disadvantaged boys and younger children. All negative outcomes were buffered by parental support. Community identity also protected young people in terms of feelings of school integration and risk but not in terms of psychological well‐being. Findings are discussed in terms of the different role of family and community supports for children negotiating negative social representations of their community.

Interdependent self‐construal matters in the community context: Relationships of self‐construal with community identity and participation

“…Prior research has found a positive correlation between community identity and the factors involving interdependence, such as social support (McNamara et al, 2013), school integration (Bradshaw et al, 2016), and mutual helping (Yang & Xin, 2016). For example, Yang and Xin (2016) demonstrated that the likelihood of helping being offered in an emergency was promoted as community identity increased among Chinese residents.…”

“…Over the years, increasing research has explored what causes some community members to highly identify with the community and frequently engage in community activities, whereas others do not (Bradshaw, Jay, McNamara, Stevenson, & Muldoon, ; Christens, Speer, & Peterson, ; Obst & White, ; Xin & Ling, ). Specifically, community identity and community participation have been demonstrated to be closely associated with the factors involving interdependence, such as interpersonal relationships (Christens, , ), social support (McNamara, Stevenson, & Muldoon, ), sense of community (Xin & Ling, ), and social capital (Xu, Perkins, & Chow, ).…”

Does ethnic identity buffer or intensify the stress of discrimination among the foreign born and U.S. born? Evidence from the Miami‐Dade Health Survey

“…A recent study focused on how an emerging community of Latino/a immigrants in a city understood and responded to discrimination, which actively shaped the Latino/a identity within their own community (Macia, 2016). More research should compare the effects of community identity and ethnic identity as stress buffers against discrimination to establish the extent to which they are resources that protect the individual and community well-being (Bradshaw, Jay, McNamara, Stevenson, & Muldoon, 2015). More research should compare the effects of community identity and ethnic identity as stress buffers against discrimination to establish the extent to which they are resources that protect the individual and community well-being (Bradshaw, Jay, McNamara, Stevenson, & Muldoon, 2015).…”

“…Distinguishing between community identity and social identity, such as ethnic identity, can be difficult because they both encompass how belongingness, inclusion, and exclusion are established (Puddifoot, 1996, p. 328). More research should compare the effects of community identity and ethnic identity as stress buffers against discrimination to establish the extent to which they are resources that protect the individual and community well-being (Bradshaw, Jay, McNamara, Stevenson, & Muldoon, 2015). Moreover, ethnic identities can provide social support and feelings of collective efficacy that can be impetuses for collective action, which can ultimately transform communities (McNamara, Stevenson, & Muldoon, 2013).…”

Darkness into light? Identification with the crowd at a suicide prevention fundraiser promotes well‐being amongst participants

“…Group identification can reduce isolation and help us to cope with prejudice, stigma and rejection of negative stereotypes by emphasising that which is shared with other group members (Schmitt et al, ). It can buffer against threats to our well‐being (Schmid & Muldoon, ); allow us to harness psychological resources necessary to cope with the negative consequences of being a member of a devalued group (Bradshaw, Jay, McNamara, Stevenson, & Muldoon, ) and provide a platform for emotional bonding and the giving and receiving of social support (Haslam et al, ; Iyer, Jetten, Tsivrikos, Postmes, & Haslam, ). In this way, identity processes can be seen to off‐set some of the consequences of negative experiences and positively impact psychological well‐being (Haslam et al, ).…”