Multicultural adults, microaggressions and embitterment: effects of heightened vigilance and culture acceptance

This study examined the moderated mediation effect of heightened vigilance and Korean culture acceptance attitude on the relationship between microaggressions and embitterment in multicultural young adults aged 25 to 34 in South Korea. A total of 329 multicultural young adults aged 25 to 34 living in South Korea were surveyed. All participants had acquired Korean nationality, even if one of their parents was a non-Korean. First, a significant correlation was found between microaggressions and heightened vigilance, embitterment, and Korean culture acceptance attitude. Second, heightened vigilance partially mediated the relationship between microaggressions and embitterment. Third, Korean culture acceptance attitude moderated the relationship between heightened vigilance and embitterment. Fourth, heightened vigilance and Korean culture acceptance attitude had a moderated mediation effect on the relationship between microaggressions and embitterment. The present study is meaningful in that it examined the mechanisms of discrimination and psychological maladjustment among multicultural young adults and explored the factors that can be overcome in the context of the increasing immigrant population in Korea.