Experiences of Discrimination and Everyday Racism Among Children and Adolescents With an Immigrant Background – Results of a Systematic Literature Review on the Impact of Discrimination on the Developmental Outcomes of Minors Worldwide

Abstract

Experiences of discrimination such as everyday racism can negatively affect the mental and physical health of children and adolescents with an immigrant background and impair their integration process in the host societies. Although experiences of racism are part of the everyday life of many minors affected by the process of “Othering” (e.g., those with an immigrant background), an overview of empirical findings is missing for this age group worldwide. A systematic review was conducted to identify and analyze international research on the impact of discrimination on the developmental outcomes and integration of immigrant children and adolescents. Three scientific databases were systematically searched up to June 11, 2021. A total of k = 4,769 identified publications were reviewed based on inclusion and exclusion criteria in terms of the PICOS format by independent reviewers. Thirty-four primary studies published between 1998 and 2021 met all inclusion criteria. The samples examined were mainly migrant youth (k = 30), with only k = 2 studies assessing refugee youth and k = 1 study assessing both migrant and refugee youth. The majority of included studies assessed perceived discrimination, with only k = 1 study directly assessing experiences of racism. The association between discrimination or racism and developmental outcomes was assessed by the included studies within the three main topics of (a) mental and physical health-related outcomes (k = 30, e.g., self-esteem, depressive symptoms), (b) school-related outcomes (k = 6, e.g., academic achievement), and (c) other developmental outcomes (k = 13, e.g., misconduct or delinquency). Data collection procedures were implemented, and findings on minors’ developmental outcomes and integration process who experience discrimination and racism were summarized and discussed. The current review suggests experienced (racial) discrimination as a negative predictor of children and adolescents’ (mental) health-related outcomes, while no clear results could be found for the association between discrimination and school-related outcomes. A need for more empirical research focusing on the path and (possibly) indirect link between discrimination and children and adolescents’ school-related outcomes as well as resulting school recommendations and the chosen career path was derived.Systematic Review Registration[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=260291], identifier [CRD42021260291].

Bullying Victimization Moderates the Association between Social Skills and Self-Esteem among Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study in International Schools

“…The third hypothesis confirmed the existing relationship between discrimination and self-esteem. In line with many studies, discrimination was found to be a significant negative predictor of self-esteem [ 55 ]. Researchers have also found an association between racial discrimination and other outcomes among children and adolescents, e.g., well-being or health [ 56 , 57 ] and as a risk factor for depressive symptoms and substance abuse [ 58 ].…”

Meta-analysis of the effect of racial discrimination on suicidality

“…Our meta-analytical study is the first to consider an exclusive investigation of RD and suicidality and to perform two separate analyses measuring the effects of RD both on SI and on SA. Our study adds to the growing body of literature indicating that RD is pernicious to well-being and may be a driver of health disparities in society, as groups exposed to RD may exhibit accentuated decline in mental health parameters ( Coimbra et al, 2020 ; Kairuz et al, 2021 ; Metzner et al, 2022 ; Williams & Williams-Morris, 2000 ). As such, more awareness of the issue of RD and the appropriate development of more effective intervention strategies to tackle its effects should be a concern among health workers, researchers, educators, and policymakers.…”

Perceived post-migration discrimination: the perspective of adolescents with migration background

“…Since previous studies, having examined the association between discrimination and mental health, have found significant correlations between these constructs [ 5 , 48 ], it must be assumed that discrimination not only has a short-term effect on the mood of those affected, but also can have an impact on their general mental health and well-being [ 5 , 48 ]. According to a current review, (racial) discrimination appears to be a key acculturative stress factor for adolescents, has effects on their mental and physical health and is associated with lower self-esteem and lower well-being [ 49 ]. Further findings of that review link perceived or experienced discrimination of immigrant children and adolescents to other developmental outcomes, e.g., a low ability to conduct for interpersonal relationships, misconduct or delinquency, a lower sense of mastery and control, higher substance use, as well as lower life satisfaction and sense of competence [ 49 ].…”

“…According to a current review, (racial) discrimination appears to be a key acculturative stress factor for adolescents, has effects on their mental and physical health and is associated with lower self-esteem and lower well-being [ 49 ]. Further findings of that review link perceived or experienced discrimination of immigrant children and adolescents to other developmental outcomes, e.g., a low ability to conduct for interpersonal relationships, misconduct or delinquency, a lower sense of mastery and control, higher substance use, as well as lower life satisfaction and sense of competence [ 49 ]. The relation of discrimination to greater physiological stress, depressive symptoms, and disruptive school behavior has also been shown in a German study among immigrant youth [ 50 ].…”