Self-esteem, discrimination, and coping among refugees: The moderating role of self-categorization

The present study examines the relationship between the personal self and e thnic identity among Iranian refugees living in the Netherlands. The extent to which participants considered themselves to be typical members of their ethnic minority group moderated the relationship between (a) personal self -esteem and ethnic self-esteem; (b) perceived personal discrimination and g roup discrimination; and (c) ethnic self-esteem and the use of emotion-focu sed and problem-focused strategies for coping with discrimination. Particip ants who saw themselves as typical Iranians showed a stronger association b etween personal and ethnic self-esteem, less personal/group discrimination discrepancy, and a relationship between ethnic self-esteem and coping with discrimination. In addition, participants favored problem-focused coping ov er emotion-focused coping, and perceived greater group discrimination than personal discrimination overall.