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The prevalence of discrimination across racial groups in contemporary America: Results from a nationally representative sample of adults

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Listed:
  • Brian B Boutwell
  • Joseph L Nedelec
  • Bo Winegard
  • Todd Shackelford
  • Kevin M Beaver
  • Michael Vaughn
  • J C Barnes
  • John P Wright

Abstract

A large body of social science research is devoted to understanding the causes and correlates of discrimination. Comparatively less effort has been aimed at providing a general prevalence estimate of discrimination using a nationally representative sample. The current study is intended to offer such an estimate using a large sample of American respondents (N = 14,793) while also exploring perceptions regarding why respondents felt they were discriminated against. The results provide a broad estimate of self-reported discrimination experiences—an event that was only reported by about one-quarter of all sample members—across racial and ethnic categories.

Suggested Citation

  • Brian B Boutwell & Joseph L Nedelec & Bo Winegard & Todd Shackelford & Kevin M Beaver & Michael Vaughn & J C Barnes & John P Wright, 2017. "The prevalence of discrimination across racial groups in contemporary America: Results from a nationally representative sample of adults," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(8), pages 1-8, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0183356
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183356
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Krieger, Nancy & Smith, Kevin & Naishadham, Deepa & Hartman, Cathy & Barbeau, Elizabeth M., 2005. "Experiences of discrimination: Validity and reliability of a self-report measure for population health research on racism and health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(7), pages 1576-1596, October.
    2. Jesse Graham & Brian A Nosek & Jonathan Haidt, 2012. "The Moral Stereotypes of Liberals and Conservatives: Exaggeration of Differences across the Political Spectrum," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(12), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Bethany G. Everett & Jarron Saint Onge & Stefanie Mollborn, 2016. "Effects of Minority Status and Perceived Discrimination on Mental Health," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 35(4), pages 445-469, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Conching, Andie Kealohi Sato & Thayer, Zaneta, 2019. "Biological pathways for historical trauma to affect health: A conceptual model focusing on epigenetic modifications," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 230(C), pages 74-82.
    2. Hisler, Garrett C. & Brenner, Rachel E., 2019. "Does sleep partially mediate the effect of everyday discrimination on future mental and physical health?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 221(C), pages 115-123.

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