Is Minority-Specific Bullying in Adolescence Related to Social Anxiety in Diverse College Students? (2021)

Research has demonstrated higher peer victimization in ethnic-religious-gender/sexuality minorities (Scherr et. al., 2010; Toomey et. al., 2010). Social anxiety has also been shown to be higher in LGBTQ+ youth, but not in ethnic-religious minorities (Akibar, et. al., 2019; Asnaani et al., 2010). My project therefore sought to elucidate the complex relationship between bullying and social anxiety in various minority groups. Specifically, I assessed whether identity-related bullying (e.g., racist or homophobic bullying) led to more social anxiety than non-identity victimization. In addition, self-compassion has been shown to be a robust resiliency factor (Close, 2015), although studies have predominantly focused on majority-white samples. Recent studies with more diverse populations suggest possible differences in trait self-compassion across diverse groups (Boyraz, et al., 2020). Thus, I also examined whether self-compassion acts to buffer the effects of minority-specific bullying on social anxiety. I will discuss my findings and their implications.