PERSONALITY-BASED HARDINESS AS A BUFFER FOR DISCRIMINATION-RELATED STRESS IN MEMBERS OF TORONTO CHINESE COMMUNITY

From a stress model of discrimination, we hypothesized that experiencing discrimination would be associated with higher levels of psychological symptoms reflecting difficulties in optimal functioning. From the hardiness literature, it was also hypothesized that the relationship between experienced discrimination and psychological symptoms would be notably stronger among respondents low in hardiness than in those high in hardiness. These hypotheses were tested with data from a sample drawn from Toronto's Chinese community and with hardiness operationalized in terms of a composite of perceived personal control and self-esteem. Both hypotheses were supported. Moreover, hardiness in the Chinese community sample was associated with several background dimensions likely to facilitate successful coping and adaptation to Toronto, such as a higher level of education, an occupation with higher socioeconomic status, and greater reported proficiency with English. Based on these findings, and those from studies of ''John Henryism'' and hypertension among African-Americans, we concluded that a strong sense of personal control will serve to buffer stress due to discrimination and other aversive life events among members of a visible minority ff it is accompanied by other factors, like education and a good occupation, that facilitate coping.