African Americans at PWIs: The Role of Race Consciousness and Ethnic Identity in Predicting Mental Health

African American students continue to be underrepresented at many American colleges and universities. These institutions are referred to as Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). Some research suggests that the racial environment at PWIs negatively impacts the mental health (depression and anxiety) of African Americans. However, few studies consider how internal racial factors such as racial centrality and race consciousness (how often race is thought about) relate to mental health in a PWI context. This study investigates this question among 71 African American students at a PWI who completed questionnaires about their racial identity and mental health. Regression analysis indicated that centrality and race consciousness were not related to mental health outcomes. However, post hoc analyses revealed an interaction between race consciousness and private regard in predicting depression. Therefore, researchers and higher education administrators should consider both internal and external racial variables in understanding the mental health of African American college students.