Perceived discrimination and prosocial tendencies in migrant children: A moderated mediation model

Abstract

Previous research has examined the effect of perceived discrimination on prosocial tendencies, but not the specific mechanisms by which the perceived discrimination functions. This study used questionnaires completed by 837 Chinese migrant children to construct a moderated mediation effects model to examine the mediating role of personal just world belief in the relationship between perceived discrimination and prosocial tendencies. Further, we examined the moderating role of a general just world belief in the above mediating pathway. The results showed that perceived discrimination negatively predicted personal just world belief and prosocial tendencies, and personal just world beliefs positively predicted prosocial tendencies. Personal just world belief fully mediated the relationship between perceived discrimination and prosocial tendencies. Further, a general just world belief moderated the mediating effect of perceived discrimination on prosocial tendencies via personal just world belief.