Perceived Racial Discrimination, Internalized Racism, Social Support, and Self-Esteem Among Black Individuals in Canada: A Moderated Mediation Model

Objectives: Black Canadians report experiencing various forms of racial discrimination disproportionately.This study aimed to: (a) examine the association between everyday racial discrimination and self-esteem;(b) test the mediating role of internalized racism and social support in the association between racial discrimination and self-esteem, and (c) test the moderating role of gender and age in this same relationship. Method: A total of 860 participants (76.60% female) aged 15–40 (Mage = 24.96, SD= 6.31) completed questionnaires assessing racial discrimination, self-esteem, internalized racism, and social support. Descriptive and moderated mediation analyses were performed. Results: A total of 65.33% of participants were categorized as endorsing low self-esteem, with no significant difference between males and females (66.67% and 62.20%, respectively; χ2 = 1.56, p = .47). Participants aged 25–40 exhibited a higher prevalence of low self-esteem compared to those aged 15–24 (89.91% and 58.54%, respectively, χ2 = 37.31, p < .001). The results showed a progressive increase in the prevalence of low self-esteem commensurate with increasing levels of reported racial discrimination. Internalized racism (β=−.09, SE= .01, p < .001) and social support (β= .10, SE= .01, p < .001) mediated the association between everyday racial discrimination and self-esteem; whereas gender moderated the latter association (β= .17, SE= .04, p < .001; being a woman). Conclusions: Results indicate a strong association between racial discrimination and low self-esteem. These findings provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of self-esteem problems among Black individuals in Canada. They also have important relevance for the development of educational and clinical programs for prevention and intervention.