Unpacking gender differences: The role of familism values in the relationship between perceived discrimination and educational attainment among second-generation immigrant youth

While extensive research has examined how discrimination impacts second-generation immigrants’ educational outcomes, few studies distinguish between actual and perceived discrimination. The latter involves interpreting ambiguous experiences as discriminatory and may influence outcomes even without overt acts. This study investigated whether perceived discrimination during middle adolescence predicted educational attainment in young adulthood among U.S. second-generation immigrants. It also explored the mediating role of self-esteem and the moderating role of familism values in late adolescence. Data were drawn from the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study, which consisted of 2,848 second-generation immigrant youth in the U.S., surveyed at mean ages of 14, 17, and 24. Results indicated that perceived discrimination was positively associated with educational attainment, with gender shaping the underlying mechanisms. Among young men, this effect was both direct and indirect via self-esteem, but the indirect effect emerged only for those with high familism values. Among young women, the indirect pathway was not significant; the direct positive effect was significant only among those with low familism values. The findings indicate that perceived discrimination may serve as a catalyst for academic success depending on gendered cultural resources. Familism values may enhance resilience for young men by reinforcing self-esteem but may constrain adaptive coping for young women. This divergence underscores the dual role of familism as both a protective and restrictive factor, shaped by gendered dynamics. Culturally informed, gender-sensitive interventions are essential to support diverse developmental pathways among second-generation immigrant youth.