Discrimination, depression, and anxiety among college women in the Trump era

ABSTRACT

This research examines the association between racial/ethnic discrimination and mental health among women university students in light of the increase in racially motivated hate crimes since the 2016 United States presidential election. A cross-sectional survey design was implemented at a mid-sized public university between November, 2017 and May, 2018. The sample included 391 women university students (159 Women of Colour and 232 White women). Quantitative data were analysed with path analysis and open-ended responses were analysed with constant comparative analysis. Findings highlight the potential impact of racial/ethnic discrimination on the mental health of women university students. Women of Colour reported more racial/ethnic discrimination and more frequent symptoms of depression and anxiety than White women. Moreover, discrimination predicted worse mental health directly and indirectly via reduced resiliency, a protective factor against depression and anxiety. Open-ended responses provided further insight into the environment of discrimination experienced by students. Women students described a resurgence of racism, nativism and white supremacy and increased hate, conflict, and division since the Trump administration took office. Perceptions of increased exposure to racial/ethnic discrimination since the 2016 presidential election are associated with worse mental health among women university students, particularly Women of Colour.

KEYWORDS:

• Mental health
• racial discrimination
• stress process theory
• gender
• university students

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ashley-Marie Daftary

Ashley-Marie Daftary is an Assistant Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Social Work. Her research focuses on structural inequities and anti-oppressive practices across systems, including immigration, education, and policy-making.

Paul Devereux

Paul Devereux is an Associate Professor at the School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno. He has an MPH in community health education from San José State University and a PhD in Social Psychology from the University of Nevada Reno. His scholarship explores social psychological influences on health including social support, emotion regulation, and perceptions towards cancer screening.

Marta Elliott

Marta Elliott received her PhD in Sociology from Johns Hopkins University and is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Nevada Reno. Her areas of research interest include the social determinants of physical and mental health inequalities, and the subjective experiences of individuals who are diagnosed with mental disorders.