Thesis Title: Perceived Discrimination and Psychological Adjustment in Ethnic Groups among University Students
Author: Qandil Hayat
Supervisor: Mehwish Yasin & Mujeeba Ashraf, PhD
Degree: MSc
Year: 2016-2018
University: Institute of Applied Psychology, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Corresponding Address: Department of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Email: chairperson@appsy.pu.edu.pk, Phone: 92-42-9231245
The present study aims to find out the link between perceived discrimination and psychological adjustment. Correlational research design was used. Convenient sampling technique was used to collect data. The sample consisted of N = 152 Pakistani university students. It was hypothesized that perceived discrimination would have relationship with psychological adjustment in ethnic groups in university students. It was also hypothesized that perceived discrimination would be a strong predictor of psychological adjustment. It was also hypothesized that there would be differences among different ethnic groups (Punjabi, Sindhi, Pathan, Sersiki, Baloch, Gilgiti, Kashrniri and Afghan) in perceived discrimination and psychological adjustment in university students. Perceived Ethnic Discrimination Questionnaire (PEDQ-CY; Brondolo, et al., 2005) and Brief Adjustment Scale-6 (BASE-6; Smith, et al., 2011) were used. Analysis of data involved preliminary analysis and main analysis. Spearman correlation, hierarchical regression and one way ANOVA were used. The findings showed that perceived discrimination was significantly negatively correlated to psychological adjustment. Results also revealed that perceived discrimination was significantly predicting psychological adjustment. Results also indicated that there were differences among different ethnic groups (Punjabi, Sindhi, Pathan, Seraiki, Baloch, Gilgiti, Kashmiri and Afghan) in perceived discrimination and psychological adjustment. The current investigation will help university administration to draw some vital arrangement for future faculty preparing program and for student’s staff orientation about this issue. Creation of a support group will assist those students to get well adjusted.
Keywords: Perceived discrimination, psychological adjustment, ethnic groups, university students.
