New Article published in European Journal of Psychology of Education

The study “Long-term relations among perceived discrimination, self-esteem, and academic self-concept in adolescents with an immigrant background” by Sira Neuhaus, Alyssa L. Grecu, Juliane Meyer, Sittipan Yotyodying, and Nele McElvany examines how perceived discrimination is linked to the development of self-esteem and academic self-concept among adolescents with an immigrant background.

Based on NEPS longitudinal data from 422 adolescents in secondary schools in Germany, the authors analyze the relationships between personal and group discrimination and psychosocial developmental processes from early adolescence through upper secondary school. In addition, the study examines whether a stronger ethnic identity can mitigate the potential negative effects of discrimination.

The results show that higher levels of personal perceived discrimination in upper secondary school are associated with lower academic self-concept in Grade 12. In contrast, no association was found between group discrimination and either self-esteem or academic self-concept. A stronger ethnic identity did not mitigate these associations.

The findings highlight the importance of discrimination-sensitive educational contexts and support measures for youth with an immigrant background. At the same time, the study focuses on upper secondary school students with an immigrant background, a group that has received little attention in educational research to date.

To the Paper: Article in European Journal of Psychology of Education