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The mediating effect of self-esteem on the relationship between perceived discrimination and psychological well-being in immigrants

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  • Alfonso Urzúa
  • Rodrigo Ferrer
  • Nidia Godoy
  • Francisca Leppes
  • Carlos Trujillo
  • Camila Osorio
  • Alejandra Caqueo-Urízar

Abstract

The aim of the study is to analyze the mediating effect of self-esteem on the relationship between perceived discrimination and psychological well-being in South American immigrants in Chile. An analytical, cross sectional, non-experimental design was used. We evaluated 853 Peruvians and Colombians living in the northern cities of Arica, Antofagasta, and Santiago de Chile, the capital located in the center of the country. The instruments used were the Ryff Psychological Well-being Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Perceived Discrimination Scale by Basabe, Paez, Aierdi and Jiménez-Aristizabal. We used the estimation method (RWLS) and polychoric correlation matrices, to estimate the effect size and overall fit of the direct effect models of discrimination and self-esteem on psychological well-being, and indirect and total effects of discrimination mediated by self-esteem. While both populations reported similar levels of perceived discrimination, it was found that the means in psychological well-being and self-esteem of the Colombian population were significantly higher than that of the Peruvian population. Regarding self-esteem, the results provided evidence for the possible mediating effect on the relationship between perceived discrimination and psychological well-being. This research aims to contribute to the development of interventions seeking to strengthen self-esteem in order to circumvent possible negative consequences of perceived discrimination, as a consequent, improving immigrants´ personal resources to successfully cope with the diverse demands of their new context.

Suggested Citation

  • Alfonso Urzúa & Rodrigo Ferrer & Nidia Godoy & Francisca Leppes & Carlos Trujillo & Camila Osorio & Alejandra Caqueo-Urízar, 2018. "The mediating effect of self-esteem on the relationship between perceived discrimination and psychological well-being in immigrants," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(6), pages 1-17, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0198413
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198413
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ek, Ellen & Koiranen, Markku & Raatikka, Veli-Pekka & Järvelin, Marjo-Riitta & Taanila, Anja, 2008. "Psychosocial factors as mediators between migration and subjective well-being among young Finnish adults," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(7), pages 1545-1556, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alfonso Urzúa & José Leiva-Gutiérrez & Alejandra Caqueo-Urízar & Pablo Vera-Villarroel, 2019. "Rooting mediates the effect of stress by acculturation on the psychological well-being of immigrants living in Chile," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(8), pages 1-12, August.
    2. Diego Henríquez & Alfonso Urzúa & Wilson López-López, 2023. "Social Support as a Mediator of the Relationship between Identity Fusion and Psychological Well-Being in South—South Migrant Populations," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 1113-1135, September.
    3. Xingmin Shi & Xueping Li & Xieyang Chen & Luping Zhang, 2022. "Objective air quality index versus subjective perception: which has a greater impact on life satisfaction?," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(5), pages 6860-6877, May.

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