Perceived Racial/Ethnic Discrimination and Depressive Symptoms Among Adolescents Living in the Cherokee Nation

Overview

Journal Am Indian Alsk Native Ment Health Res

Specialty Psychology

Date 2022 Mar 7

PMID 35255148

Authors

Caroline M Barry

Brady A Garrett

Melvin D Livingston

Terrence K Kominsky

Bethany J Livingston

Kelli A Komro

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the longitudinal relationship between perceived racial/ethnic discrimination and depressive symptoms among adolescents living in the Cherokee Nation, as well as the potential moderating roles of race and social support. Self-reported survey data were analyzed from a sample of high school students (n = 1,622) who identified as American Indian only, American Indian and White, and White only. Compared to students who reported no discrimination on the basis of race, those who reported ever having experienced discrimination scored, on average, 1.62 units higher on the depressive symptoms scale six months later (p = .0001, 95% CI: 0.90, 2.33), while adjusting for age, race, gender, baseline depressive symptoms, enrollment in a free/reduced-price lunch program, and social support. Discrimination intensity did not significantly predict depressive symptoms among those reporting some frequency of discrimination. Race and social support did not modify either effect. These findings may inform development of interventions to promote mental health among American Indian adolescents.

Citing Articles

School Racial Composition as a Moderator of the Effect of Discrimination on Mental Health and Substance use Among American Indian Adolescents.

Barry C, Livingston M, Livingston B, Kominsky T, Komro K J Adolesc Health. 2023; 74(1):44-50.

PMID: 37737758 PMC: 10926889. DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.07.014.

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