Experience of Racism as a Correlate of Developmental and Health Outcomes Among Urban Adolescent Mental Health Clients

• NCJ Number: 210920
• Journal: Social Work in Mental Health Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: 2005 Pages: 235-260
• Author(s): Michael Surko; Dianne Ciro; Caryl Blackwood; Michael Nembhard; Ken Peake
• Date Published: 2005
• Length: 26 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study identified correlates of perceived racism, ethnic pride, and race and ethnicity in a sample of 759 adolescents presenting for mental health services at New York City's Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center, which serves inner-city youth.

Abstract

The youth presented for services between April 27, 1999, and April 9, 2002. The sample consisted predominantly of Hispanic/Latino and African-American youth. The self-report questionnaire, known as Adquest, queried the sample about race/ethnicity and racism, school and education, work, safety, health, sexuality, substance abuse, and personal/family life. Adquest is intended to facilitate adolescent engagement in mental health services in a developmentally appropriate way. Perceived racism varied significantly by race/ethnicity. Asian/Pacific Islanders had the highest proportion of adolescents who reported experiences of racism (80 percent). Proportions of perceptions of racism among other racial/ethnic groups were 60.6 percent in West Indian/Caribbeans, 52.5 percent of multiethnic adolescents, 45.5 percent of Whites, 40.1 percent of African-Americans, and 32.4 percent of Hispanic/Latinos. There was no significant relationship between gender and lifetime experience of perceived racism. Across all ethnic groups, older adolescents tended to report more experiences of perceived racism. The perception of racism was significantly related to several indicators of environmental and behavioral risk. Racism was significantly associated with the most risk indicators for middle-age adolescents, including having been threatened with a weapon, having been a victim of violence, having been touched uncomfortably, and having used drugs in the prior month. Overall, racism across age and ethnic groups was significantly associated with more negative health and well-being outcomes than the following factors: ability to get a gun, sexual orientation, and being enrolled in school. This suggests that perception of racism is an important indicator in assessing a youth's various health risks. 7 tables, 29 references, and appended Adquest questionnaire