The Minority College Experience : An Examination of Minority Status Stress and Mental Health Outcomes

Abstract

Several studies conducted at predominantly White institutions (PWIs) have found support for the idea that the stress associated with being a minority student has negative effects on their psychological functioning (Smith et al, 2014). In a study by Greer and Brown (2011), results suggest that minority students at a PWI felt increased minority status stress when compared to their Black counterparts attending a historically Black college and university (HBCU). counterparts. Cokley et al (2011) found ethnic minorities had higher rates of mental illness, as well as reporting more instances of discrimination.