Health Psychology, Vol 45(8), Aug 2026, 848-858; doi:10.1037/hea0001603
Objective: The current study investigated how experiencing discrimination (e.g., based on race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation) during the college years among a sample of underrepresented students attending a predominantly White institution may be related to poor sleep in young adulthood via greater marginalization-related vigilance. Method: The study sample (N = 340; 69% female) included students who identified as a member of a historically underrepresented racial or ethnic group, economically disadvantaged (i.e., eligible for the full amount of the Pell Grant), and/or as a first-generation college student. Data were collected during students’ 4 years in college (Spring 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017) and then again 6 years later as they transitioned into young adulthood (Spring 2023). Structural equation modeling was used to examine the associations between discrimination (aggregated across the college years) and marginalization-related vigilance and poor sleep during young adulthood. The final model accounted for maleness, whiteness, and economic disadvantage. Results: We found that discrimination across the college years indirectly predicted poor sleep 6 years later through greater marginalization-related vigilance. Conclusions: There may be a long-lasting psychological burden of persistent experiences of discrimination during the college years that may undermine sleep quality in young adulthood. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)