Research
Publication
A descriptive study of interpersonal discrimination experiences in US Black, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Latine young adults as characterized by intersections of sex, and immigrant generation status
Publication Year: 2025
Authors: Danielle Pandika, Jessica Acolin, Griselda Martinez, Miranda L. M. Delawalla, Martie L. Skinner, Leo S. Morales, Sabrina Oesterle, Margaret R. Kuklinski, & Katarina Guttmannova
Publication Title: Race and Social Problems
Issue Number: 18
Page(s): 8
Link to Publication: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12552-025-09471-z
Abstract: Objective: To better understand and characterize how young adults with minoritized racial and ethnic identities perceive and experience the discrimination against them. We applied an intersectional lens and examined variation in perceived discrimination by sex (across all racial/ethnic groups) and United States immigrant generation status (among Latine participants).
Methods: Data were collected from young adults (MAge = 23.3, SD = 0.51) who self-identified as Black (N = 164), American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN; N = 261), and/or Latine (N = 884) who were part of a longitudinal community sample originally recruited from 24 small/rural communities. Participants reported the frequency and type of discrimination they experienced in their day-to-day life. Those reporting frequent discrimination were asked to indicate the primary reason/s (e.g., race, gender). Descriptive analyses were completed separately within each racial/ethnic group and by immigrant generation status among the Latine sample. Chi-square tests assessed differences in the prevalence of discrimination experiences by sex and immigrant generation status.
Results: Two thirds or more of Black, AIAN, and Latine YA reported experiencing discrimination. Across all ethnic/racial groups, the most commonly cited reasons for discrimination were race/ethnicity, gender, and age, and more females than males reported gender and age as reasons for discrimination. More first- and second-generation than third-generation Latine young adults (YA) reported race and ancestry as reasons for discrimination.
Conclusion: Attributing discrimination to identity factors beyond race and ethnicity was common among ethnic and racial minoritized YA, underscoring the importance of considering intersectional identities when studying experiences of interpersonal discrimination.
Methods: Data were collected from young adults (MAge = 23.3, SD = 0.51) who self-identified as Black (N = 164), American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN; N = 261), and/or Latine (N = 884) who were part of a longitudinal community sample originally recruited from 24 small/rural communities. Participants reported the frequency and type of discrimination they experienced in their day-to-day life. Those reporting frequent discrimination were asked to indicate the primary reason/s (e.g., race, gender). Descriptive analyses were completed separately within each racial/ethnic group and by immigrant generation status among the Latine sample. Chi-square tests assessed differences in the prevalence of discrimination experiences by sex and immigrant generation status.
Results: Two thirds or more of Black, AIAN, and Latine YA reported experiencing discrimination. Across all ethnic/racial groups, the most commonly cited reasons for discrimination were race/ethnicity, gender, and age, and more females than males reported gender and age as reasons for discrimination. More first- and second-generation than third-generation Latine young adults (YA) reported race and ancestry as reasons for discrimination.
Conclusion: Attributing discrimination to identity factors beyond race and ethnicity was common among ethnic and racial minoritized YA, underscoring the importance of considering intersectional identities when studying experiences of interpersonal discrimination.