Strength in numbers? Cognitive reappraisal tendencies and psychological functioning among Latinos in the context of oppression

José A. Soto, Brian E. Armenta, Christopher R. Perez, Byron L. Zamboanga, Adriana J. Umaña-Taylor, Richard M. Lee, Seth J. Schwartz, Irene J.K. Park, Que Lam Huynh, Susan Krauss Whitbourne, Thao N. Le, Lindsay S. Ham

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

The typically positive relationship between cognitive reappraisal and psychological functioning may be nullified for Latinos embedded within multiple contexts of oppression (Perez & Soto, 2011). Multiply oppressive contexts are characterized by exposure to oppression at a societal level (distal oppression), in the immediate environment (proximal oppression), and at an individual level (personal oppression). We replicated and extended Perez and Soto's (2011) findings by examining whether the reappraisal-psychological functioning association was moderated by (a) relative numerical representation of Latinos within the environment (proximal oppression) and (b) personal perceptions of discrimination (personal oppression) among 425 Latino college students throughout the United States. For Latinos in high-Latino counties, greater use of reappraisal was associated with better psychological functioning, regardless of perceived discrimination; this relationship was absent for Latinos in low-Latino counties who perceived greater discrimination. Findings highlight the importance of considering how contextual factors can alter the adaptive functions of emotion regulation strategies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)384-394
Number of pages11
JournalCultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology
Volume18
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Social Psychology
  • Sociology and Political Science

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