Perceived Discrimination and Psychological Wellbeing Among Major Ethnic Minorities And Non-Major Group: The Case Of Three Selected Kebeles In Gimbo Woreda, Kaffa Zone.

Abstract

The general objective of this study was investigating perceived discrimination and psychological well-being of Manjo Ethnic Minorities and non-Manjo Group in Kaffa zone, Gimbo woreda. Quantitative research methods were employed to achieve the research objectives. For this study, two groups of respondents were recruited from three selected Kebeles in Gimbo woreda. 298 total participants from two groups were selected using stratified random sampling technique. The strata were based on gender and ethnicity. Lists of respondents from the kebele were obtained on the basis of household survey. A demographic questionnaire, perceived discrimination and psychological wellbeing scale were administered to collect necessary data. Data from the quantitative survey were analyzed using mean, percentages, Spear man’s rho (rs) correlation and independent sample t-test. The results show that there was a significant strong to very strong negative correlation between perceived discrimination and psychological well-being (rs= -.774, p=.000<0.01 for males and it is rs= -.954, p=.000<0.01) for female Manjo Ethnic Groups). Significant mean variation was found in perceived discrimination and psychological well-being measures among Manjos and non-Manjos t(296)=81.6, p=.00<0.01 with 95% of variation ( 2 ) explained and t(296)= -100.09, p=.000<0.01with 97% of variation ( 2 ) explained in both Manjos and non-Manjos. The mean differences in the measure of perceived discrimination and psychological wellbeing scale across gender t(147)= -2.08, p=.039<0.05with 2.2% of variation ( 2 ) explained and t(147)=3.95, p=.000<0.01with 8.9% of variation ( 2 ) explained in males and females of Manjo Ethnic Group. Thus, these research findings have implications for Counseling (particularly with Multicultural context) in working with marginalized Manjo Ethnic Group. Due to this, comprehensively extending the existing awareness creation activities by local government in both groups, running the social service provision tasks by incorporating psychologists or social workers were some of the recommendations.