Perceived Social Support and Discrimination's Effect on Psychological Health
Discrimination is defined as "the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex" (Oxford Languages). It is a common occurrence that can have detrimental effects on an individual's mental health.
Perceived social support has been shown to mediate this relationship. This article will explain what perceived social support is, how it relates to discrimination, and how it affects psychological health.
Perceived social support refers to the belief that one has sufficient resources available to cope with challenges in life (Cohen & Wills, 1985). It includes both emotional and instrumental support from family, friends, and other sources. Emotional support involves providing care and empathy during difficult times, while instrumental support provides tangible help such as financial assistance or advice. Perceived social support is important because it helps individuals feel connected to others, which can lead to improved well-being.
Discrimination can be direct or indirect and occurs when individuals are treated unfairly due to their identity. Direct discrimination is explicitly based on identity, while indirect discrimination is subtle and often more pervasive.
Women may face direct discrimination through unequal pay for equal work or sexual harassment, whereas men may experience indirect discrimination through gender roles and expectations. Individuals who experience discrimination may feel isolated and powerless, leading to negative impacts on their psychological health.
Research has found that perceived social support can buffer the negative effects of discrimination. One study showed that women who perceived greater social support were less likely to report depressive symptoms after experiencing sexism (Fiske et al., 2010). Another study found that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth who had higher levels of perceived family support reported lower rates of mental health problems than those who did not (Chen et al., 2016). These findings suggest that perceived social support acts as a protective factor against the harmful effects of discrimination.
Perceived social support plays an essential role in mitigating the negative impacts of discrimination on psychological health. Individuals who feel supported by others may have better coping mechanisms and resilience in the face of adversity.
This does not mean that all forms of discrimination can be easily overcome with increased social support. Rather, it suggests that addressing systemic oppression and creating inclusive environments are necessary to promote overall well-being.
How does perceived social support mediate the relationship between discrimination and psychological health?
The literature on perceived social support and its role in mitigating the effects of discrimination on psychological health is limited but growing. Some studies have found that social support can buffer the negative impacts of discrimination on mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and stress (e. g. , Cohen et al. , 2017; Yen & Kwan, 2019).