Discrimination intensity and coping schemes among vulnerable adolescents: the moderating role of peer relationships

ABSTRACT This study examines how discrimination intensity is associated with coping schemes and how peer relationships may moderate such an association. Using a sample of Chinese adolescents with vulnerabilities (n = 542), the findings show that about 60% of the adolescents had experienced moderate to high levels of discrimination. Multivariate models show that both discrimination intensity and peer relationships were associated with adolescents’ choices of coping schemes. Also, peer relationships moderated the association between discrimination intensity and coping schemes: for adolescents who experienced low-intensity discrimination, higher levels of peer relationships were positively associated with seeking help or confronting discrimination; but for adolescents who experienced high-intensity discrimination, higher levels of peer relationships were positively associated with passive endurance toward discrimination. The findings suggest using divergent strategies to support vulnerable youth facing different levels of discrimination, including promoting their healthy peer relationships in anti-discrimination efforts.