Which Coping Strategies Alleviate or Perpetuate Anxiety Symptoms in the Context of Perceived Ethnic Discrimination in Adolescents With an Immigrant Background?

Abstract

Many biopsychosocial changes occur in early adolescence. Adolescents with an immigrant background face additional challenges, such as ethnic discrimination, which is associated with anxiety symptoms. Studies among immigrant adults have shown that using strategies to cope with ethnic discrimination is associated with decreased anxiety. Little is known on how coping strategies could alleviate or perpetuate anxiety symptoms in the context of ethnic discrimination in early adolescence. This study assessed the coping strategies that moderate the association between ethnic discrimination and anxiety symptoms in 512 first- (born abroad; n = 241) and second-generation (at least one parent born abroad; n = 271) adolescents ( Mage = 12.97; SD = .75; 55% girls). Results suggest that religious coping and substance use have a positive moderating effect on the association between ethnic discrimination and anxiety symptoms. These findings add to knowledge on coping strategies among immigrant early adolescents facing discrimination.