NOT SO MICRO: AN EXAMINATION OF RACIAL MICROAGGRESSIONS AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG LATINE WOMEN COLLEGE STUDENTS

Abstract

Previous research has established a robust association between racial microaggressions and adverse mental health outcomes among students of Color. However, limited research has examined how institutional context, particularly attendance at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) versus Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and racial group differences within Latine populations, may shape these associations. The present study investigated whether institutional context and race moderated the relationship between racial microaggressions and mental health outcomes among Latina women college students (N = 103). Independent-samples t-tests indicated that Latine women attending PWIs reported experiencing more racial microaggressions than those attending HSIs. Additionally, Latine women who racially identified as people of Color reported experiencing more racial microaggressions than those who identified as white. Moderation analysis revealed that institutional context significantly moderated the association between racial microaggressions and symptoms of depression and stress, but not anxiety. Specifically, greater frequency of racial microaggressions was associated with higher levels of stress and depression among students attending HSIs, whereas these associations were not significant among students attending PWIs. In contrast, race did not significantly moderate the association between racial microaggressions and suboptimal mental health outcomes. However, greater exposure to racial microaggressions was directly associated with high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in the race moderation models. Implications for research and clinical practices are discussed.