Discrimination is an umbrella term for prejudicial treatment that results in negative consequences to individuals based on their social group membership, including race, gender, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, and sexual orientation. In recent years, researchers have increasingly examined how such prejudice affects mental health outcomes, particularly anxiety, self-efficacy, and long-term personal and professional development trajectories. This paper provides an extensive review of the current literature on this issue and discusses relevant implications for policy interventions.
Anxiety refers to feelings of worry, uneasiness, and nervousness that are accompanied by physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, and difficulty breathing. It can be acute (short-lived) or chronic (persistent), and it can vary in severity from mild to severe. Research suggests that discriminatory experiences can increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders.
Studies have found that African American women who experience racial discrimination are more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than those without these experiences (Kim et al., 2017). Similarly, gay men who face homophobia are more prone to depression and anxiety than their heterosexual peers (Mustanski et al., 2013). These findings suggest that discrimination may be associated with heightened levels of anxiety, which can negatively impact both emotional and cognitive functioning.
In addition to affecting individuals' mental health, discrimination also has broader effects on their sense of self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is a person's belief in their ability to successfully perform certain tasks or achieve specific goals. When individuals are treated unfairly because of their membership in a social group, they may internalize negative messages about themselves and question their worthiness and competence. As a result, they may become less confident in their abilities and less motivated to pursue educational or career opportunities. This can lead to long-term consequences for personal and professional development.
Research indicates that women who face gender bias in STEM fields tend to withdraw from these professions over time (Goldin & Katz, 2014). Similarly, individuals with disabilities who encounter ableism may avoid seeking employment altogether (Hayes et al., 2018). Therefore, discrimination not only harms individuals directly but also has ripple effects across society by limiting the potential contributions of marginalized groups.
Policy interventions aimed at addressing discrimination have been proposed as one way to mitigate its negative effects on individuals' well-being and development trajectories.
Anti-discrimination laws can promote fairness and equality by holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. Educational programs that raise awareness about the pervasiveness and harmfulness of prejudice can help foster a more inclusive environment. In addition, mentoring and networking programs can provide support to marginalized individuals and increase their sense of belonging within their communities.
Further research is needed to determine which policies are most effective and how they should be implemented to maximize their impact.
This paper reviewed current literature on the link between discrimination and mental health, self-efficacy, and long-term personal and professional development trajectories. Discriminatory experiences can negatively affect individuals' emotional, cognitive, and motivational functioning, leading to increased anxiety and decreased confidence. Policies that target discrimination through anti-bias initiatives and other measures may alleviate some of these effects, although more research is needed to understand how best to implement them. As such, it is crucial to continue investigating the role of discrimination in shaping individual and societal outcomes and developing evidence-based solutions to combat it.
How does discrimination affect anxiety, self-efficacy, and long-term personal and professional development trajectories?
Discrimination can have a profound impact on a person's mental health and wellbeing, including their feelings of anxiety and self-efficacy, as well as their ability to develop professionally and personally over time. For individuals who experience discrimination based on factors such as race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other characteristics, it is common for them to feel anxious about the possibility of experiencing prejudice and discrimination again in the future.