Perceived Discrimination and Anxiety: The Mediating Role of Cognitive Distortions
Keywords:
Perceived discrimination, anxiety, cognitive distortionsAbstract
This study aimed to examine the relationship between perceived discrimination and anxiety, and to assess whether cognitive distortions mediate this relationship in a non-clinical adult population in Mexico. A descriptive correlational research design was employed with a sample of 410 adult participants, determined using the Morgan and Krejcie sample size table. Data were collected using standardized instruments: the Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS) to assess perceived discrimination, the Cognitive Distortions Scale (CDS) to measure cognitive distortions, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) to evaluate anxiety symptoms. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated using SPSS-27 to explore bivariate relationships, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted using AMOS-21 to test the hypothesized mediation model. Model fit was evaluated using multiple indices including χ², RMSEA, CFI, TLI, GFI, and AGFI. Results indicated significant positive correlations between perceived discrimination and anxiety (r = .47, p < .001), perceived discrimination and cognitive distortions (r = .41, p < .001), and cognitive distortions and anxiety (r = .58, p < .001). The SEM analysis showed good model fit (χ²/df = 2.07, RMSEA = .051, CFI = .96, TLI = .95). Direct effects were significant for perceived discrimination on cognitive distortions (β = .41, p < .001), cognitive distortions on anxiety (β = .51, p < .001), and perceived discrimination on anxiety (β = .27, p < .001). The indirect effect of perceived discrimination on anxiety through cognitive distortions was also significant (β = .21, p < .001), supporting partial mediation. The findings demonstrate that cognitive distortions partially mediate the relationship between perceived discrimination and anxiety, indicating that distorted thinking patterns may be a psychological mechanism through which discrimination contributes to anxiety symptoms. These results underscore the need for targeted cognitive interventions in populations vulnerable to social stressors.
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