International Journal of Intercultural Relations 80 (2021) 147–157 0147-1767/© 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Support networks among college enrolled Latinas/os: Using ego networks to examine gender differences in network language use and experiences of discrimination Adrian J. Archuleta a, *, Sarah C. Nu˜ nez b , Richard D. Weaver Jr. a a Kent School of Social Work, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, United States b College of Education and Human Development, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40292, United States A R T I C L E INFO Keywords: Latinas/os Acculturation Structural social support Experiences of discrimination ABSTRACT The growth of the Latina/o population has been met with a backlash that has increased experi- ences of discrimination. Differences in gender, education, and acculturation often result in ex- periences of discrimination. Despite the importance of acculturation, few attempts have been made to understand the structural environment surrounding those experiences (i.e., social net- works). Using ego network data, the current study examines the relationship between encultur- ation (a traditional indicator of acculturation), network language use, acculturative pressures, structural social support characteristics, and experiences of discrimination among a college- enrolled sample of Latinas/os (N = 139). Over half of respondents were female (61 %) with ages ranging from 18 to 63 and reported largely frst (43 %) and second generational status (27 %). Findings indicate that pressure to acculturate was the strongest variable associated with experiences of discrimination. Network language use moderated by gender emerged over en- culturation as more closely related to experiences of discrimination. The interaction term between gender and network language use revealed potentially different risk and protective factors for Latinas/os related to experiences of discrimination. Structural support variables associated with respondents’ social networks appear to provide some protective value but do not attenuate the relationship between pressure to acculturate and experiences of discrimination. In the current study, ego networks proved useful in identifying factors related to experiences of discrimination. Future research should continue to explore the importance of a person’s immediate social structure (i.e., ego networks) in protecting and exposing Latinas/os to harmful and health benefting experiences. Introduction The discrimination experienced by stigmatized groups is associated with different aspects of social identity and status (e.g., race, gender, and sexual orientation) across different contexts (e.g., education and housing) and manifest as various forms of maltreatment and marginalization (Schmitt, Branscombe, Postmes, & Garcia, 2014). These multiple forms of maltreatment and marginalization erode positive aspects of psychological well-being (e.g., self-esteem) while contributing to increases in psychological distress * Corresponding author. E-mail addresses: Ajarch01@louisville.edu (A.J. Archuleta), Sarah.nunez@louisville.edu (S.C. Nu˜ nez), Richard.weaver@louisville.edu (R.D. Weaver Jr.). Contents lists available at ScienceDirect International Journal of Intercultural Relations journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ijintrel https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2020.10.010 Received 11 December 2019; Received in revised form 5 October 2020; Accepted 29 October 2020