A recent study by researchers Bernard, López, Banks, Hahn, and Danielson sheds light on the impact of racial discrimination on mental health outcomes among Black youth. The study, published in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, reveals that rumination—internalizing negative feelings as a coping strategy—plays a crucial role.
The likelihood of Black children experiencing racial discrimination increases as they age and interact with their communities, schools, and online spaces. Approximately 90% of Black youth report discriminatory experiences each year, which heightens their vulnerability to depression and anxiety.
The research team analyzed data from 158 youth participating in the Charleston Resiliency Monitoring study. These participants ranged in age from 7 to 16 years and were recruited from third, sixth, or ninth grade. Here are the key findings:
Greater racial discrimination and rumination were significantly associated with increased depression and anxiety. Younger children reported greater anxiety than adolescents, while adolescent participants reported greater depression than younger ones. Female participants reported higher levels of rumination, depression, and anxiety compared to male participants.
The study underscores the importance of addressing racial disparities and providing age-appropriate interventions to help Black youth cope with discrimination. As youth develop more sophisticated ways of thinking, their capacity for rumination increases, impacting their mental well-being. These findings can inform policy and support strategies to promote mental health resilience in Black youth.
See “Rumination Following Discrimination Can Lead to Depression, Anxiety in Black Youth, Study Shows” (June 27, 2024)
