Institutional Context of Perceived Discrimination, Acculturative Stress, and Depressive Symptoms among Latina College Students

ABSTRACT

This study examined the influence of institutional environment (PWIs and HSIs) on perceived discrimination, acculturative stress, and depression. Data were obtained from Latina college students across 30 U.S. universities. Findings indicated language-related acculturative stress and the pressure to acculturate explained the relationship between perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms. Students attending an HSI who reported pressure to acculturate were more likely to experience depression.

KEYWORDS:

• Perceived discrimination
• acculturative stress
• Latina
• institutional environment

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.