Journal of Counseling Psychology
Volume 55, Issue 4, 2008, Pages 451-462

Moderating Effects of Three Coping Strategies and Self-Esteem on Perceived Discrimination and Depressive Symptoms: A Minority Stress Model for Asian International Students (Article)

Wei M.* , Ku T.-Y. , Russell D.W. , Mallinckrodt B. , Liao K.Y.-H.
  • a Department of Psychology, Iowa State University
  • b Psychology in Education Research Lab, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Iowa State University
  • c Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Institute for Social and Behavioral Research, Iowa State University
  • d Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, United States
  • e Department of Psychology, Iowa State University

Abstract

This study examined 3 coping strategies (reflective, suppressive, and reactive), along with self-esteem, as moderators of the relation between perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms. International students (N = 354) from China, India, Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong provided data via an online survey. The role of perceived general stress was statistically controlled. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated a significant direct effect of perceived discrimination, a significant 2-way interaction of perceived discrimination and suppressive coping, and a significant 3-way interaction of perceived discrimination, reactive coping, and self-esteem in predicting depressive symptoms. An increased tendency to use suppressive coping appeared to strengthen the association between perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms. In contrast, the association between perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms was not significant when reactive coping was infrequently used, but only for students with relatively high self-esteem. © 2008 American Psychological Association.

Author Keywords

perceived discrimination Self-esteem Asian international students Coping Minority stress model

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-57349194576&doi=10.1037%2fa0012511&partnerID=40&md5=ecf1454a156d2a4874e8a57b47cb8067
DOI: 10.1037/a0012511
ISSN: 00220167
Cited by: 98
Original Language: English