Study looks at mental health effects of perceived racism among young children

Fifth-graders who believe they have experienced racial discrimination are much more likely than other children to have symptoms of depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and other mental health problems, according to a study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Public Health, USA Today reports.

Previous research has found that racial discrimination increases the odds of mental health problems in adolescents and adults, but this is the first study to examine the possible effects in younger children of varied races, Tumaini Coker -- study co-author, RAND researcher and University of California-Los Angeles pediatrician -- said. The study, led by Mark Schuster, a Harvard University pediatrician and pediatrics chief at Children's Hospital Boston, involved more than 5,000 children in Birmingham, Ala.; Houston; and Los Angeles.

Twenty percent of blacks, 15% of Hispanics, 16% of "other" races and 7% of whites reported experiencing prejudice. Hispanics reporting prejudice were more than three times as likely as other children to have symptoms of depression; blacks were more than twice as likely; and those of "other" races had almost quadruple the odds, according to the study. Participants experiencing prejudice also had higher rates of ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder.

Schuster said that the findings do not prove that discrimination caused the mental health symptoms because researchers did not follow participants over time (Elias, USA Today, 5/6).

An abstract of the study is available online.


Kaiser Health NewsThis article was reprinted from khn.org with permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent news service, is a program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health care policy research organization unaffiliated with Kaiser Permanente.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
A decade of CCBHCs enhances access to mental health care across the U.S.