Students of Color, Mental Health, and Racialized Aggressions on Social Media

Abstract

Using structural equation modeling, we examined if experiencing racialized aggressions on social media affects the mental health of students of Color (n = 692). We also examined the relationships between these experiences and ethnic identity, campus interactions, sense of belonging, campus climate, and mental health. Findings suggest that experiencing racialized aggressions on social media is positively related to an increase in mental health issues, while sense of belonging is negatively related to mental health issues.Acts of racial hostility have heightened students' of Color susceptibility to hate crimes and racism on campus and on social media. In the months since the COVID-19 outbreak, students of Color have been subjected to hate-filled Zoombombs and xenophobia on social media (Dill, 2020;Redden, 2020). Research suggests that perceptions of racial discrimination from microaggressions or other racialized assaults may lower self-esteem and produce anxiety in college students of Color (Nadal et al., 2014;Wong-Padoongpatt et al., 2017). Data show small but growing trends in overall college student mental health issues such as self-esteem, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, family distress, and academic distress (Xiao et al., 2017). In particular, students of Color now report higher levels of depression, academic distress, and hostility than in the past (Center for Collegiate Mental Health, 2014). Researchers have called for richer and broader investigations of mental health issues among college students of Color to address their mental health needs (Iacovino & James, 2016;Sanchez & Awad, 2016).Prior studies established that students from minoritized racial and ethnic groups reported experiences with racial discrimination, microaggressions, and stereotypes at predominantly White institutions (PWIs) (

Racial Discrimination, Mental Health and Behavioral Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a National Survey in the United States

“…13 We averaged the Likert-scale responses to the eight questionnaire items (from 1 being “strongly disagree” to 4 being “strongly agree”); thus, a higher score indicates more perceived bias against one’s race or ethnicity. Given the documented link between racialized aggression in social media and the victim’s mental health issues, 14 we asked respondents whether they had been cyberbullied because of their race or ethnicity.…”

The negative health effects of anti-Asian stigma in the U.S. during COVID-19.

“…This speaks to the importance of shared spaces to offer an outlet for companionship and coping. McCready et al (2021) examined Zoombombs and social media xenophobia. Zoombombing occurs when uninvited attendees break into your zoom or other video conferencing meeting and disrupt it (Hodge, 2020).…”

Does Experiencing Racialized Aggressions on Social Media Influence Perceptions About the Campus Racial Climate?

“…Racialized aggressions affect college students’ educational experiences, mental health, and general well-being. These verbal attacks incite stress, anxiety and depression among college students with marginalized and minoritized identities (McCready et al, 2021 ; Nadal, 2008 ; Nadal et al, 2015 ; Sue et al, 2008 ). Further, these aggressions negatively affect students on a number of higher education outcomes, including resilience and academic performance (Franklin et al, 2014 ; Nadal et al, 2015 ; Smith et al, 2006 , 2007 ).…”

“…Our findings add depth to the understanding of how in-person and social media-based racialized aggressions affect a student’s perceptions of campus diversity climate. While in-person experiences with racism may overshadow racialized aggressions on social media, scholars and practitioners must be cognizant that online environments and experiences affect the outcomes of students of color (McCready et al, 2021 ; Rowan-Kenyon et al, 2021 ), especially as a result of the shift to more online interaction as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional scholarship is needed on the online experiences of students of color, including research that allows students of color to describe how encounters with racialized aggressions on social media influence their perceptions of campus diversity climates.…”

“…Negative and antagonistic anonymous posts on students' social media have enabled intimidation and harassment on the basis of gender, sexuality, race and ethnicity (Black, et al, 2016). Exposure to online racialized aggression has negatively impacted students' of color mental health (McCready et al, 2021), and increased stress expressions (Saha, et al, 2019). An examination of microagressions online sugggested that they impact Indigenous students negatively (Clark, et al, 2011), and though not specifically focused on racialized agressions online, Tynes, et al (2013) found a strong relationship between online discrimination and the perception of campus climate, and urged researchers to give more attention to negative racist interactions online.…”