Experiences Of Perceived Racial Ethnic Discrimination And Stress Among Black African American Graduate Students On A Predominantly White Campus

Significance: Experiences of discrimination are associated with increased stress and adverse influences on mental health outcomes. Though graduate students commonly experience stress and poor mental health, explorations of experiences of discrimination and their influence on stress among Black and/or African American (AA) graduate students is rare. Purpose: This study explored the experiences of racial/ethnic discrimination among Black/AA graduate students and how these experiences relate to experiences of chronic stress. Population: The participants in this study included 17 self-identified Black/AA graduate students attending a large public university in the Pacific Northwest. Methods: Utilizing face-to-face, semi-structured interviews, students discussed their experiences of racial/ethnic discrimination and their perceptions of how these experiences have contributed to chronic stress. Analysis: Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using grounded theory and thematic analysis through an inductive process. Results: Four major themes were identified: unfavorable treatment due to race and/or ethnicity across multiple environments; experiences of intense physiological, emotional responses to discrimination and processing complex decisions focused on optimizing their perceived safety; diverse strategies (thoughts and actions) to mitigate emotional and mental responses to discrimination; and strategies for improving the discriminatory climate. Qualitative analyses suggest that racial/ethnic discrimination is very frequently experienced by Black/AA graduate students and can impact their stress through emotional, mental and physiological responses to perceived discriminatory events. Participants described utilizing social support as a main coping strategy to mitigate the impacts of racial/ethnic discrimination. Implications: Further mixed methods research is needed to explore the association of racial/ethnic discrimination and chronic stress in an academic setting. Graduate institutions should consider investment in policies that target structural, institutional discrimination and racism and increase social support structures and mental health services for students.