Abstract
Poverty threatens psychosocial health, especially when intersecting with minority identities such as ethnicity. Within the Roma community, discrimination, prejudice, and stigma create particularly adverse environments. This cross-sectional study compares psychosocial health between Roma and non-Roma individuals living in poverty. The sample includes 317 participants (202 non-Roma and 115 Roma), aged 18–71. Significant differences (p < 0.001) were found in psychological distress (non-Roma higher), self-stigma (Roma higher), social support (Roma higher), and resilience (Roma higher). Roma identity predicts lower distress. Discrimination impacts self-stigma, shaped by social prejudice. Higher resilience and social support in Roma communities act as protective factors. These findings highlight the need for public policies that address these populations’ needs and help reduce stigma and discrimination.