Perceived Ethnic Stigma Across the Transition to College

Ethnicity-based negative treatment during the transition to college may affect the long-term adjustment of ethnic-minority
youth. We examined within-person changes in youths’ perceptions of overt discrimination and their sense of their ethnic group
being devalued by the larger society among 563 Latino, European, Asian, and other ethnic minority emerging adults across the
transition to college (M
_age = 17.79, SD = .37, 54.7% female). Analyses tested for group and context differences and associations between perceived discrimination
and societal devaluation of their group and adjustment. Results indicate that although perceived discrimination decreases
over time, perceived devaluation by society increases. Social context did not affect changes in perceived discrimination and
societal devaluation. Whereas perceived discrimination was associated with depressive and somatic symptoms for everyone, perceived
societal devaluation was only consequential for ethnic minorities. Future research should identify possible moderators to
help students cope with experiences of discrimination and feelings of not being valued by society.