Racial discrimination in late adolescence and mental health outcomes among participants in the Panel Study of Income Dynamics

Authors: GUERRERO, NATALIE - Baylor College Of Medicine; YU, XIAN - Non ARS Employee; RAPHAEL, JEAN - Baylor College Of Medicine; O'CONNOR, TERESIA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)

Submitted to: Journal of Adolescent Health
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/23/2023
Publication Date: 5/3/2023
Citation: Guerrero, N., Yu, X., Raphael, J., O'Connor, T. 2023. Racial discrimination in late adolescence and mental health outcomes among participants in the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. Journal of Adolescent Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.02.029.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.02.029

Interpretive Summary: Racism has been identified as a threat to public health by the Ameerican Medical Association and systematic reviews have demonstrated that racism and racial discrimination are adversely associated with health among children and adults. However, less is known about the impact of experiencing racism among adolescents, a critical developmental period for youth. The aim of this study was 1) to examine whether racial discrimination experienced in late adolescence (ages 18- 21 years old) was associated with increased psychological distress and decreased well-being; and 2) to determine whether sex, race or ethnic group moderated this relationship. The study used longitudinal data from youth who took part in the Transition into Adulthood Supplement of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. Racial discrimination was measured by the Everyday Discrimination Scale; and psychological distress and well-being were assessed by the Kessler six and Mental Health Continuum Short Form, respectively. Generalized linear mixed modeling was used to analyze the data to allow for nesting of data across multiple time-points within an individual, and to account for multiple assessments with non-uniform assessment intervals. Approximately 25% of participants reported they experienced high levels of racial discrimination. These participants had significantly worse psychological distress and lower levels of emotional well-being compared to those who did not experience racial discrimination. Race and ethnicity, but not sex, moderated the relationship. Racial discrimination experienced in late adolescence may have persistent impacts on psychological distress and well-being years after the initial exposure. This may differ by racial and ethnic group. Clinical and community-based interventions that can provide mental health support for adolescents who experience racial discrimination should be developed, implemented, and evaluated.

Technical Abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess whether racial discrimination experienced at ages 18–21 years is associated with psychological distress and well-being, and investigate potential moderators of this relationship. We used panel data collected from 2005 to 2017 from 661 participants in the Transition into Adulthood Supplement of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. The Everyday Discrimination Scale measured racial discrimination. The Kessler six and Mental Health Continuum Short Form assessed psychological distress and well-being, respectively. Generalized linear mixed modeling was used to model outcomes and test potential moderating variables. Approximately 25% of participants experienced high levels of racial discrimination. In analyses of panel data, these participants had significantly worse psychological distress (odds ratio=6.04, 95% confidence interval: 3.41, 8.67) and lower levels of emotional well-being (odds ratio=4.61, 95% confidence interval: 1.87, 7.36) compared to those who did not. Race and ethnicity moderated the relationship. Exposure to racial discrimination in late adolescence was associated with worse mental health outcomes. This study has important implications for interventions addressing the need for mental health support that is critical for adolescents who experience racial discrimination.