Discrimination and Depression
Discrimination comes in many forms but it’s thought that where minority children are faced with racism, they are more likely to experience the symptoms of depression. This is the result of the perception of discrimination in their daily lives.
Increased Stress and Anxiety
It is not clear yet exactly how racism is linked to depression. Researchers think that the prevalence of racism means that children experience rejection and stress. Over time, this effect gains momentum, putting children at a higher risk of depression. Where the racism continues to adult years in particular, depressed minority children can become depressed adults.Effects of Racism
Despite advances in awareness around racism and its effects, it still remains an enormous problem. For some minority children, racism is common. A new study set out to learn more about how children perceive racism, and also how that racism influences depression and self-esteem.Surveying Minority Children
The study surveyed nearly three hundred minority children from the ages of nine to eighteen. The survey was performed in the United States and included multiracial children as well as Latino and African American children. Children in the study ranged in age from nine to eighteen-years old.Perception of Racism
In the questionnaire, there were numerous scenarios that could be perceived as discriminatory. For instance, being followed by a security guard at a store was one. Another was the scenario of being accused of wrongdoing at school.Significant Experiences With Racism
The results of the questionnaire showed that eighty-eight percent had one or more experiences with racism. Almost twelve percent of the children had been subject to racial discrimination in half or more of the scenarios described in the survey.Typical instances of racism were verbal remarks that were perceived as racist or being called an offensive name. Researchers concluded that minority children as a whole are likely to experience discrimination. This was true across all minority races and all ages as well.
Racism Throughout the Broad Community
Worse still is that this racism occurs in a range of situations, from school to the rest of the community. Racism also occurs with both the peers of children and with adults. This suggests a broader community approach is required to reduce racism, particularly as it goes beyond the school and peer group of the minority children.The key fear in this study is that racism could have significant effects on the self-esteem and mental health of minority children. Unfortunately, this seemed to be true given the remainder of the questionnaire results. It was found that there was a strong link between racism and depression as well as a strong link between self-esteem and depression. Researchers now want to investigate in detail the link between depression and racism. They want to find out if discrimination is responsible for stress, which could then lead to issues with mental health.
