Discrimination and multicultural identity configurations: The mediating role of stress. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yampolsky, Maya A.; Amiot, Catherine E.
• Is Part Of: International journal of intercultural relations. Volume 55(2016)
• Page Start: 86
• Page End: 96
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: Multicultural identity -- Identity integration -- Identity configurations -- Discrimination -- Stress; Intercultural communication -- Periodicals; Cultural relations -- Periodicals; Cross-cultural studies -- Periodicals; Communication interculturelle -- Périodiques; Relations culturelles -- Périodiques; Études transculturelles -- Périodiques; Cross-cultural studies; Cultural relations; Intercultural communication; Periodicals; 303.482
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijintrel.2016.09.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0147-1767

Abstract

Abstract: The present research examines perceived discrimination as a predictor of how multicultural individuals negotiate and configure their different cultural identities within the self. We focused on three multicultural identity configurations: having one predominant identity (categorization), compartmentalizing one's different identities, and integrating one's identities. Since discrimination is related to intraindividual discordance and is stressful, we examined the mediating role of stress in the associations between discrimination and the identity configurations in 259 multicultural individuals. Mediation analyses revealed that greater discrimination predicted compartmentalization through greater stress, while lower discrimination predicted greater identity integration through lower stress. Categorization was not predicted by discrimination or by stress. Discrimination and stress appear to have damaging and depleting roles that hamper multiculturals' capacity to reconcile their identities into a cohesive whole.