Discriminatory Experiences Among Black Youth: How Encounters and Expectations Explain Emotional Well-Being

Abstract

Research suggests that encounters with racism are related to depression in Black youth. However, less is known about how experienced racial discrimination can influence other aspects of well-being among Black youth including their socio-emotional development and behavior. In addition, emerging literature highlights the critical ways anticipated racial discrimination may impact the emotional well-being of Black youth. To address these gaps, the current study assessed whether experienced discrimination was associated with higher levels of internalizing problems (anxiety/depression, suicidal thoughts) and lower levels of socio-emotional development (emotion regulation, prosocial behavior). We then tested whether expected discrimination contributed to similar patterns. Lastly, this study examined how age and gender moderated this relationship. Across eight schools in three communities, 1435 Black youth (56.57% female; 56.40% 10th grade) in 10th and 12th grades responded to the Youth Experience Survey. Using a series of hierarchical linear and hierarchical binary logistic regressions, results found that those who experienced racial discrimination and expected discrimination demonstrated higher internalizing problems and lower socio-emotional development; however, expected discrimination often accounted for more variance than experienced. These findings suggest the multifaceted influence both experienced and expected racial discrimination have on the well-being of Black youth and can provide important insights to community prevention systems.

Commentary for Special Issue on Advancing Health Equity Among Black Communities: Implications for Research Funders (and Researchers)

“…Funders’ requests for proposals frame how we understand and respond to health problems and what questions researchers prioritize. For example, each study in this issue makes clear that racism has been and continues to be a source of stress for Black communities, but despite the clearly documented consequences of this structural factor (Barbarin et al, 2022 ; Summers-Gabr, et al, 2023 ), most interventions have focused on individuals and families (Boyd et al, 2023 ; Ray et al, 2023 ); a smaller number have focused on the access and quality of supportive systems (Roman, 2022 ); and a rare few have studied structural factors or racism itself (Hassen et al, 2021 ; NIH Advisory Committee, 2021 ). This is due in part to the prevailing frame that guides research funders’ investments in prevention science, which focuses on individuals, specifically on supporting and enhancing the skills of those targeted by racism and discrimination.…”

“…As urged by the authors of the articles in this special issue, funders are also invited to thoughtfully call for the study, design, and evaluation of more structural approaches (Boyd et al, 2023 ; Berkel et al, 2022 ; Murry et al, 2022 ) to advance health equity in Black communities and combat the lack of robustness of interventions when implemented in discriminatory and stigmatizing climates (Hatzenbuehler, 2016 ). Findings from several studies underscore the value of designing for viability within a geographical or political context, and yet these same studies reveal the limitations of mitigating harm while structural and more systemic factors persist (Hatzenbuehler, 2016 ; Summers-Gabr et al, 2023 ). A promising path forward is funding the development and study of culturally anchored interventions and interventions that directly equip participants to navigate racism and its harms, which are more robust (Anderson et al, 2023 ).…”