First, discrimination was conceptualized as a major source of stress for immigrants’ adolescent children. Next, such children’s emotional health (indicated by measures of self-esteem and depression) was examined for possible associations with discrimination, psychosocial supports, and social structure; additionally, race/ethnicity’s possible moderating role in such associations was evaluated. Data from the first 2 waves of the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study (1991–2006) were employed, focusing on 3 groups: Asians, Hispanics, and Whites. Linear regression analyses were used to weigh how discrimination, psychosocial supports, and social structure measured at Wave 1 and Wave 2 related to self-esteem and depression measured at Wave 2. Asians exhibited the highest level of depression and were most likely to perceive discrimination; Asians’ self-esteem was also low, compared to other groups’. Discrimination and psychosocial supports appeared to operate differentially in explaining the 3 groups’ emotional health. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Emotional health Immigrant children discrimination Acculturation Ethnic identity

depression immigrant longitudinal study Asian Caucasian Emotions Continental Population Groups mental health human ancestry group Longitudinal Studies Ethnic Groups Stress, Psychological mental stress ethnic group controlled study comparative study Humans social structure self esteem psychosocial care Hispanic Americans Surveys and Questionnaires emotional stability migrant ethnic difference Hispanic Adolescent psychology male Emigrants and Immigrants case report Acculturation female questionnaire self concept cultural factor linear regression analysis identity emotion social discrimination Child