The effect of discrimination on self-efficacy and life satisfaction among migrant children and adolescents

This study aimed to report the indirect effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between discrimination and life satisfaction in migrant children and adolescents in Chile. Two studies were conducted with 494 migrant children and adolescents in Chile (Study 1, n=292; Study 2, n=202), ranging in age from 9 to 18 years (Study 1, ME=12.30, SD=2.57; Study 2, ME=12.57, SD=2.51). Totaling both samples, 50% were female (Study 1, n=143; Study 2, n=104) and 50% male (Study 1, n=149; Study 2, n=98). The first study investigated the relationship between discrimination and life satisfaction. The second study replicated this association in a different sample, including self-efficacy as a mediating variable. Structural equation modeling was used in both studies to estimate the proposed relationships. The results showed that discrimination is negatively related to life satisfaction and that the self-efficacy of migrant children and adolescents partially mediates this relationship.