Peer‐based discrimination and adolescent emotional and sleep health: A daily examination of direct and buffering associations

Abstract Using 10‐day daily diary data collected in 2019 from 10th grade students in southern U.S. ( N = 161, 57% Latina/x/o, 21% Biracial, 10% Asian, 9% White, 4% Black; 55% female, M age = 15.51), this study examined various forms of peer‐based discrimination in adolescents’ everyday lives. Results showed that personally experienced discrimination, peer racial teasing, and vicarious discrimination were frequent and impactful events. Results also provided strong evidence for the protective role of psychological resilience and some evidence for the protective‐reactive roles of peer support and school climate in moderating the link between peer‐based discrimination and daily well‐being. The findings highlight the necessity to eliminate peer‐based discrimination and shed light on interventions to reduce the harmful effects of peer‐based discrimination on adolescents’ daily well‐being.