Psychological correlates of perceived ethnic discrimination in Europe: A meta-analysis.

Abstract

Objective: Many studies point to the negative impact of discrimination on the psychological and social functioning of ethnic minority persons. The realization of these studies across multiple European countries enables a systematization of this knowledge, which is our goal in the present work. Method: This study presents a meta-analysis of the correlates of perceived ethnic discrimination among minorities living in European countries. Results: The analyses of 121 effect sizes reveal that discrimination is positively associated with symptoms of psychiatric disturbances, depression, psychosis, perceived stress, and externalizing behavior. Discrimination is also negatively associated with the self-esteem, positive evaluation of life, self-efficacy/mastery, well-being, and psychological adaptation of migrants. The results show that the strength of these significant relationships is, in some cases, moderated by persons' gender, age and ethnicity and countries' multicultural approach and rating in the Migrant Integration Policies Index (MIPEX), namely in regards to labor market mobility, permanent residence, and anti-discrimination policies. Conclusions: The detrimental effect of discrimination on many psychosocial dimensions emphasizes the need for governmental agencies to develop systemic and concrete interventions to decrease ethnic prejudice in Europe. Moreover, the results show that fostering multiculturalism, implementing broad anti-discrimination policies and enabling labor market mobility has a protective function in the face of discrimination as fundamental ways to promote the psychological adjustment of ethnic minority persons.

Understanding how discrimination can affect health

“…A meta‐analysis of 51 studies in Europe highlights growing international evidence. Across diverse ethnic populations, positive associations were found between ethnic discrimination and emotional distress, as well as inverse associations with positive markers of well‐being, such as self‐esteem and self‐efficacy . Several recent reviews continue to document an inverse association between discrimination and good mental health .…”

“…Across diverse ethnic populations, positive associations were found between ethnic discrimination and emotional distress, as well as inverse associations with positive markers of well-being, such as self-esteem and self-efficacy. 20 Several recent reviews continue to document an inverse association between discrimination and good mental health. [21][22][23][24][25][26][27] For example, a 2014 review reported the results of two meta-analyses focused on the association between discrimination and well-being.…”

Social Experiences of Migrants

“…African migrants are known to undertake employments with remuneration lower than the minimum wage because of their undocumented status. Migrants in this category experience job related stress from work that is highly demanding, least preferred whilst at the same time offering low remuneration and unsatisfactory career prospects (Bhugra, cited in Chilunga et al, 2019). Black et al (2016) showed that upon arrival in Europe only one third of a sample of documented African migrants held higher status jobs matching the status they had in their home country.…”

“…It is also noted that the level of prejudice against migrants is still high in Europe, and this poses a significant barrier to integrating to the sociocultural system of host communities (de Freitas et al, 2018;European Commission, 2011). For example, many African migrants in Germany perceived racial discrimination, precarious working conditions and high daily stress levels (Idemudia 2014).…”

Discussions and Conclusions

“…In the qualitative study, migrants reported that sub-Saharan Africans are targets of discriminatory attitudes and behaviors in Europe. The persistent nature of prejudice and discrimination in Europe hinders migrants' integration and adaptation in host communities (de Freitas et al, 2018;European Commission, 2011). Asides racism and discrimination, language is another major post-migration factor serving as impediment to integration and positive mental health of migrants in all included European countries.…”