Abstract
Online and Offline Ethnic–Racial Discrimination (ERD) and exposure to Ethnic–Racial Traumatic Events Online (ER-TEO) are linked to poor mental health (e.g., Paradies et al., 2015; Tynes et al., 2019; Yip et al., 2019) and academic outcomes (e.g., Elion et al., 2012). Research points to dimensions of Ethnic–Racial Identity (ERI) as a buffer against the potentially deleterious effects of ERD on adjustment outcomes (e.g., Yip et al., 2019). However, this moderating effect is typically examined in adolescent populations and is largely dependent on contextual factors (Miller-Cotto & Byrnes, 2016; Umaña-Taylor et al., 2014). As such, this study used a cross-sectional survey design and path analysis to examine the associations between Online and Offline ERD, ER-TEO, mental health (trauma symptoms of discrimination [TSD]), and academic outcomes (grade point average and academic efficacy). Additionally, the current study examined the potential moderating effects of ERI and the effects of contextual factors (ethnic–racial group status, nativity status, perceived ethnic–racial setting of college, and gender). This research was conducted with a sample of 382 Black and Latinx emerging adult college students in the United States. Results indicated that Online and Offline ERD and ER-TEO were significantly positively associated with TSD for both Black and Latinx individuals. Additionally, Online Individual ERD and ethnic–racial setting of college were significantly negatively associated with academic efficacy for Black individuals, and the Exploration dimension of ERI was significantly and positively associated with academic efficacy for Black individuals. Lastly, Offline ERD was significantly negatively associated with academic efficacy for both Black and non-black Latinx participants. Support for a moderating function of ERI was not found for either group. Given findings from this study, more longitudinal research is needed to better understand how Online and Offline ERD and ER-TEO impact different adjustment indices for Black and Latinx youth over time.