A groundbreaking study by researchers at Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) and Brown University has found that exposure to discrimination significantly increases the risk of developing depression and anxiety. This mistreatment, which is experienced by more than half of US adults, may disproportionately impact certain racial and ethnic groups due to a combination of cultural, social, and systemic factors.
The Link Between Discrimination and Mental Health
The research, published in JAMA Network Open, highlights the detrimental mental health effects of everyday discrimination—routine, often subtle mistreatment that people encounter daily. The study reveals that individuals exposed to higher levels of discrimination are more likely to screen positive for both depression and anxiety. Specifically, those with high exposure to discrimination are over five times more likely to screen positive for depression and anxiety, compared to individuals who report no such experiences. The odds of screening positive for both conditions are nearly nine times higher for those who experience discrimination.
The findings indicate that the mental health impact of discrimination is not uniform but varies significantly by race and ethnicity. While the study showed similar trends for both men and women, the effects were more pronounced among multiracial, White, and Asian adults—populations often underrepresented in prior research on the impact of discrimination.
Study Design and Key Findings
The study drew upon data from a nationally representative survey conducted in 2023, which assessed experiences of discrimination, depression, and anxiety among nearly 30,000 adults aged 18 or older. The sample was weighted to reflect the broader US adult population, which exceeds 258 million individuals.
To measure discrimination, the researchers used standardized scales to capture the frequency of mistreatment, such as receiving poor service or being harassed. Similarly, they used established scales to assess depression (e.g., feeling hopeless or losing interest in activities) and anxiety (e.g., feeling nervous or unable to stop worrying).
Key findings include:
-
Nearly 56% of adults experienced some form of discrimination.
-
Around 3.6% of participants reported high levels of discrimination, most common among Black adults, followed by multiracial, Hispanic or Latino, White, and Asian adults.
-
Discrimination was more prevalent among adults facing health challenges such as disabilities, obesity, and food insecurity, as well as among immigrants and women.
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Discrimination’s Impact
The study found that the mental health impact of discrimination differs across racial and ethnic groups. Multiracial individuals may face unique forms of mistreatment based on their multiple racial identities. White individuals, on the other hand, may experience mental health challenges related to discrimination tied to their income or education levels. Asian adults may face depression or anxiety stemming from language barriers or the “model minority” stereotype, which pressures them to meet unrealistic expectations of success.
As Dr. Marie-Rachelle Narcisse, senior author of the study and assistant professor of psychiatry at Brown University, explains, “Studies have shown that discrimination shapes mental health most deeply when left unacknowledged. I hope this study creates more awareness. As in awareness, there is strength and the ability to seek healing more intentionally.”
While these findings show that racial and ethnic groups experience discrimination in different ways, Dr. Narcisse and Dr. Wang caution that these results should not undermine the significance of discrimination’s impact on Black, Hispanic, and Latino populations. These groups continue to face systemic challenges rooted in a history of oppression, and they continue to be disproportionately affected by health disparities.
A Broader Issue
Dr. Monica Wang, lead author of the study and associate professor of community health sciences at BUSPH, stresses the importance of expanding the scope of research on discrimination’s effects. “Our study expands our understanding beyond typical Black-White comparisons, showing that everyday discrimination is a widespread issue that negatively impacts mental health across all racial and ethnic groups,” she says.
The researchers hope that their findings will encourage greater awareness and spur mental health screenings and interventions that address the disparities caused by discrimination. As Dr. Wang concludes, “Our results are a powerful reminder that discrimination is everyone’s issue—and addressing it benefits society as a whole.”
Moving Forward
The study’s implications are profound, urging policymakers, mental health professionals, and society as a whole to address the mental health consequences of discrimination. By understanding the different ways in which discrimination affects diverse populations, strategies can be developed to provide better support and interventions for those suffering from its psychological impacts.
The research was funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, and the Bradley Hospital COBRE Center for Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. The authors emphasize that the content of the study reflects their own views and does not necessarily represent the official stance of the funding institutions.
You Might Be Interested In:
-
Study Reveals Link Between Sleep Deficiency and Alzheimer’s Disease Risk
-
Atrial Fibrillation Elevates Early-Onset Dementia Risk in Younger Adults
