Racial-Ethnic Microaggressions, Coping Strategies, and Mental Health in Asian American and Latinx American College Students: A Mediation Model

The current study examined the link between racial-ethnic microaggressions and psychological distress among 308 Asian American (n = 164) and Latinx American (n = 144) college students (54% female). Additionally, coping strategies (engagement and disengagement) were examined as potential mediators in this link. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the Racial-Ethnic Microaggressions Scale (REMS) was conducted to test the factor structure with an Asian American and Latinx American emerging adult population (Ages 18-26). A multigroup path analysis of the analytic model was then performed to examine the hypothesized relations between racial-ethnic microaggressions, coping strategies, and psychological distress among Asian American and Latinx American participants. Results of the CFA did not support the original 6-factor structure of the REMS in this sample. However, a 1-factor structure (i.e., total scale score) indicated good fit. Findings from the path analysis indicated that among the total sample, racial-ethnic microaggressions were directly linked to increased psychological distress. Furthermore, engagement coping strategies partially mediated this relationship and were linked to less psychological distress. Public Significance Statement This study suggests that proactive coping strategies, such as problem solving and social support, may prepare Asian American and Latinx American college students to better respond to racial-ethnic microaggressions (subtle forms of discrimination). This, in turn, may be linked to less psychological distress. It is recommended that educators and mental health practitioners engage in supportive and validating conversations with students to help them process their experience with microaggressions and determine which coping strategies are helpful to them.