• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.511-534
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• 2015

The primary goal of the present study was to examine the moderating effects of coping strategies, cultural identity, and bicultural self-efficacy on the relationship between perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms of Korean Canadian college students. Data were collected from 214 Korean Canadian college students studying in Canada through an online and offline survey. A direct effect of perceived discrimination on depressive symptoms and the moderating effects of coping strategies on the relationship between perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms were examined by using hierarchical regression analysis. And three-way interaction of perceived discrimination, coping strategies, and cultural identity, and perceived discrimination, coping strategies, and bicultural self-efficacy on depressive symptoms were examined. Results from a hierarchical regression indicated that perceived discrimination significantly predicted depressive symptoms and this finding is in line with previous studies. Second, reflective, suppressive, and reactive coping strategies did not moderate the relationship between perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms. Third, the three-way interaction effect of perceived discrimination, suppressive coping strategy, and heritage identity predicted the depressive symptoms. Low heritage identity, high level of perceived discrimination and the frequent use of suppressive coping strategy increased the level of depressive symptoms. Fourth, the three-way interaction effect of perceived discrimination, coping strategies, and bicultural self-efficacy did not predict the depressive symptoms. Limitations and applied implications of the results are discussed.