African American, Latino/a, East Asian and South Asian youth experience poor mental health and depression following experiences of racism.
An international review led by the University of Melbourne has found children and young people experience poor mental health, depression and anxiety following experiences of racism. The first of its kind, the review showed 461 cases of links between racism and child and youth health outcomes.
The most common types of racism the studies investigated were interpersonal experiences of racism -- between people rather than institutional or systemic racism. Associations between racism and behavior problems, pregnancy and birth outcomes were common. The studies reviewed found children whose mother experienced racism during pregnancy were more likely to have poorer birth outcomes. Most studies reviewed were conducted in the US with younger people aged 12-18.
The three most common ethnic/racial groups represented in the studies were African American, Latino/a and Asian, including East Asian, South Asian and other Asian. Dr Priest said the review identified an important issue that needed to be addressed in society, schools and communities to improve child and youth health.
"We know that children who experience poor health and wellbeing are less likely to engage in education, employment and other activities that support them to lead healthy and productive lives and to participate meaningfully in the community," she said.
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Journal Reference:
1. Naomi Priest, Yin Paradies, Brigid Trenerry, Mandy Truong, Saffron Karlsen, Yvonne Kelly. A systematic review of studies examining the relationship between reported racism and health and wellbeing for children and young people.