The Influence of Discrimination and Coping Strategies on Life Satisfaction of Multicultural Adolescents: The Moderating Effect of Coping Strategies

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine associations between life satisfaction of Korean adolescents in multicultural families and their discrimination experiences. We also attempted to figure out how each coping strategy functions differently according to the intensity of discrimination. To accomplish this goal, we recruited 227 multicultural adolescents and their foreign mothers in pairs, and the sample included 211 early adolescents aged 10-15. We performed hierarchical regression on life satisfaction by entering discrimination score as an independent variable and each coping strategy type as a moderator. The results showed that the perceived intensity of discrimination was negatively associated with life satisfaction. Although the use of active problem-solving strategies was positively related to life satisfaction, it was associated with lower life satisfaction when the intensity of discrimination was high. The use of passive problem-solving strategies intensified the adverse effects of discrimination, while support seeking strategies buffered the negative effects of discrimination on life satisfaction of multicultural adolescents. The use of avoidance strategies brought better outcomes when adolescents perceived that they were severely discriminated against. This study provided preventive and practical implications for multicultural adolescents by examining the relationship among discrimination, coping strategies and life satisfaction and by identifying different meanings of coping strategies depending on the intensity of discrimination experienced.