The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #65875

Parisa Tehranifar, MPH, Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 600 W. 168th St, PH 18, Room 18-128, New York, NY 10032, 212-305-9776, pt140@columbia.edu, Jamie L. Geier, MPH, Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 622 W. 168th St, PH 18, New York, NY 10032, Ann Stueve, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University & Education Development Center, Inc., 622 W. 168th St, PH 18, New York, NY 10032, and Lydia N. O'Donnell, EdD, Center for Research on High Risk Behavior, Education Development Center, Inc., 55 Chapel Street, Newton, MA 02458.

Objectives: Growing evidence suggests that discrimination has harmful consequences for the mental health of minority populations. This study examines the association between self-reported experiences of racial/ethnic discrimination and feelings of anger, hopelessness and depression in an urban sample of African American adolescents. Methods: 742 adolescents were surveyed as part of the Reach for Health program. Eight types of potential discrimination (e.g. verbal insults, being badly treated by store clerks, police, teachers) were assessed. Multiple regression analyses were used to investigate the relationship between exposure to discrimination and anger, hopelessness and depressive symptoms. Results: Most adolescents (88%) reported experiencing at least one type of discrimination. All types of discrimination were reported more frequently by males. Males also scored significantly higher on hopelessness and lower on anger; there were no gender differences in depressive symptoms. Controlling for socio-demographic characteristics, discrimination was associated with anger for both genders, but was not associated with hopelessness or depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Despite correlations between feelings of anger, hopelessness and depressive symptoms, only anger was significantly associated with self-reported experiences of discrimination. Although anger may be an appropriate response to discrimination, research is needed to assess whether anger leads to positive or negative life experiences and health consequences.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session participants will be able to:
• Describe how experiences of discrimination relevant to the lives of minority youth can be measured.
• Describe the relationship between reports of discrimination and psychological symptoms among male and female urban minority youth

Keywords: Adolescents, Minorities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.