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Chen EYJ, Tung EYL. Similarities and Differences in the Longitudinal Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms from Mid-Adolescence to Young Adulthood: the Intersectionality of Gender, Race/Ethnicity, and Levels of Depressive Symptoms. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2024; 11:1541-1556. [PMID: 37162740 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-023-01630-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding similarities and differences between groups with intersecting social identities provides key information in research and practice to promote well-being. Building on the intersectionality literature indicating significant gender and racial/ethnic differences in depressive symptoms, the present study used quantile regression to systematically present the diversity in the development of depressive symptoms for individuals with intersecting gender, race/ethnicity, and levels of symptoms. METHODS Information from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 79: Child and Young Adult study was employed. A detailed picture of depressive symptom trajectories from low to high quantiles was illustrated by depicting 13 quantile-specific trajectories using follow-up data from ages 15 to 40 in six gender-race/ethnicity groups: both genders of Black, Hispanic, and non-Black, non-Hispanic individuals. RESULTS From low to high quantiles, Black and non-Black, non-Hispanic individuals showed mostly curved, and Hispanic individuals showed mostly flat trajectories. Across the six gender-race/ethnicity groups, the trajectories below 0.50 quantiles were similar in levels and shapes from mid-adolescence to young adulthood. The differences between the six gender-race/ethnicity groups widened, indicated by outspreading trajectories, especially at quantiles above 0.50. Furthermore, non-Black, non-Hispanic males and females showed especially fast-increasing patterns at quantiles above 0.75. Among those without or with only a high school degree, Black females and non-Black, non-Hispanic females tended to report similar levels of depressive symptoms higher than other groups at high quantiles. These unique longitudinal trajectory profiles cannot be captured by the mean trajectories. CONCLUSIONS The intersectionality of gender, race/ethnicity, and quantile of symptoms on the development of depressive symptoms was identified. Further studying the mechanism explaining this diversity can help reduce mental health disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Yi-Ju Chen
- Department of Educational Psychology, Foundations, and Leadership Studies, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, 50614, USA.
| | - Eli Yi-Liang Tung
- Department of Analytics and Operations, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore
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Graham C, Chun Y, Hamilton B, Roll S, Ross W, Grinstein-Weiss M. Coping with COVID-19: Differences in hope, resilience, and mental well-being across U.S. racial groups. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267583. [PMID: 35587476 PMCID: PMC9119465 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore if the COVID-19 pandemic revealed differences across racial groups in coping, resilience, and optimism, all of which have implications for health and mental well-being. METHODS We collect data obtained from four rounds of a national sample of 5,000 US survey respondents in each round from April 2020 to February 2021. Using logistic regression and fixed effects models, we estimate the pandemic impacts on COVID-19 related concerns, social distancing behaviors, and mental health/life satisfaction and optimism for racial/income groups. RESULTS Despite extreme income and health disparities before and during the COVID-19 outbreak, Blacks and Hispanics remain more resilient and optimistic than their White counterparts. Moreover, the greatest difference in resilience, optimism and better mental health-is found between poor Blacks and poor Whites, a difference that persists through all four rounds. CONCLUSIONS These deep differences in resilience have implications for the long-term mental health of different population groups in the face of an unprecedented pandemic. Better understanding these dynamics may provide lessons on how to preserve mental health in the face of public health and other large-scale crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Graham
- Global Economy and Development, The Brookings Institution, Washington, DC, United States of America
- University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yung Chun
- Social Policy Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Bartram Hamilton
- Olin Business School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Stephen Roll
- Social Policy Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Wilbur Ross
- Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Michal Grinstein-Weiss
- Social Policy Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
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Williams MR, Do DP. The Compounded Burden of Poverty on Mental Health for People with Disabilities. SOCIAL WORK IN PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 36:419-431. [PMID: 33832403 DOI: 10.1080/19371918.2021.1905579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Using 2008-2017 National Health Interview Survey data (N = 127,973), we investigated the relationship between income and psychological distress, measured by the Kessler 6 (K6) Scale (range 0-24), net of education, employment, and other sociodemographic characteristics. Regression models allowed the association to differ by disability status and number of disabilities. Lower income predicted higher psychological distress for those with and without disabilities. However, the adverse association was stronger among people with disabilities. Compared to those with incomes at least four times the poverty threshold, poor individuals with disabilities scored 2.81 (95% CI = 2.55,3.67) points higher on the K6 Scale versus 0.58 (95% CI = 0.48,0.69) points higher for those without disabilities. Differences in associations by number of disabilities were not statistically significant. Nonetheless, those with multiple disabilities were still at increased risk of distress because they were disproportionately poor. People with disabilities who are poor are particularly disadvantaged and should be prioritized in outreach efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith R Williams
- Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - D Phuong Do
- Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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Dudovitz RN, Biely C, Barnert ES, Coker TR, Guerrero AD, Jackson N, Schickedanz A, Szilagyi PG, Iyer S, Chung PJ. Association between school racial/ethnic composition during adolescence and adult health. Soc Sci Med 2021; 272:113719. [PMID: 33545496 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.113719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES School racial/ethnic segregation in U.S. schoolsDifferences in school racial/ethnic composition may increase health disparities by concentrating educational opportunities that confer long-term health benefits in schools serving predominantly wwhite students. For racial minority students, high concentrations of white students may increase exposure to racismis also associated with psychologicstress, which may ultimately reduceing the long-term health benefits from educational opportunities. Meanwhile associations of racial/ethnic academic tacking within schools and health have been mixed. We sought to test whether: 1) differences in racial/ethnic composition between schools and, 2) racial/ethnic distribution of students in academic tracks within schools are associated with long-term health benefits or risks for white, Black and Latinx students. METHODS We analyzed the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (12,438 participants, collected 1994-2008), to test whether the school-level segregation (percent of non-Latinx white students at participants' school during adolescence) was associated with adult health outcomes at ages 18-26 & 24-32, controlling for contextual factorscomparing Black, Latinx, and white students, and controlling for contextualf factors. A secondary analysis explored whether racial/ethnic cohorting across levels of English courses was associated with each health outcome. RESULTS Attending a school with a higher percent of white students was associated with higher adult depression scores, substance abuse, and worse self-rated health for black Black students; lower depression scores, better self-rated health, and alcohol abuse for white students; and no health differences for Latinx students. Greater within school racial/ethnic cohorting across English courses was associated with increased odds of alcohol abuse for white students; decreased odds of alcohol abuse for Black and Latinx students; and decreased odds of drug abuse for Black students. CONCLUSION Among Bblack youth, attending a school with a higher percentage of white students is associated with worse behavioral health in adulthood. Understanding the potential impacts of school racial/ethnic composition on health is critical to designing policies that maximize access to opportunity and health.Education policies should comprehensively address school quality and racism to maximize adult health.
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Affiliation(s)
- R N Dudovitz
- UCLA Department of Pediatrics and Children's Development and Innovation Institute, United States.
| | - C Biely
- UCLA Department of Pediatrics and Children's Development and Innovation Institute, United States
| | - E S Barnert
- UCLA Department of Pediatrics and Children's Development and Innovation Institute, United States
| | - T R Coker
- University of Washington Center for Child Health Behavior and Development, United States
| | - A D Guerrero
- UCLA Department of Pediatrics and Children's Development and Innovation Institute, United States
| | - N Jackson
- UCLA Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, United States
| | - A Schickedanz
- UCLA Department of Pediatrics and Children's Development and Innovation Institute, United States
| | - P G Szilagyi
- UCLA Department of Pediatrics and Children's Development and Innovation Institute, United States
| | - S Iyer
- UCLA Department of Pediatrics and Children's Development and Innovation Institute, United States
| | - P J Chung
- Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine, Health System Science, United States
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Parental Education, Household Income, and Cortical Surface Area among 9-10 Years Old Children: Minorities' Diminished Returns. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10120956. [PMID: 33317053 PMCID: PMC7763341 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10120956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Although the effects of parental education and household income on children's brain development are well established, less is known about possible variation in these effects across diverse racial and ethnic groups. According to the Minorities' Diminished Returns (MDRs) phenomenon, due to structural racism, social stratification, and residential segregation, parental educational attainment and household income show weaker effects for non-White than White children. Purpose: Built on the MDRs framework and conceptualizing race as a social rather than a biological factor, this study explored racial and ethnic variation in the magnitude of the effects of parental education and household income on children's whole-brain cortical surface area. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, we used baseline socioeconomic and structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) data of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. Our analytical sample was 10,262 American children between ages 9 and 10. The independent variables were parental education and household income. The primary outcome was the children's whole-brain cortical surface area. Age, sex, and family marital status were covariates. Race and ethnicity were the moderators. We used mixed-effects regression models for data analysis as participants were nested within families and study sites. Results: High parental education and household income were associated with larger children's whole-brain cortical surface area. The effects of high parental education and high household income on children's whole-brain cortical surface area were modified by race. Compared to White children, Black children showed a diminished return of high parental education on the whole-brain cortical surface area when compared to White children. Asian American children showed weaker effects of household income on the whole-brain cortical surface area when compared to White children. We could not find differential associations between parental education and household income with the whole-brain cortical surface area, when compared to White children, for non-Hispanic and Hispanic children. Conclusions: The effects of parental educational attainment and household income on children's whole-brain cortical surface area are weaker in non-White than White families. Although parental education and income contribute to children's brain development, these effects are unequal across racial groups.
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Assari S. Household Income and Children's Depressive Symptoms: Immigrants' Diminished Returns. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE AND GLOBAL HEALTH 2020; 8:157-164. [PMID: 34036110 DOI: 10.34172/ijtmgh.2020.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Relative to socially privileged groups, socially marginalized people experience weaker health effects of household income and other economic resources, a pattern known as Minorities' Diminished Returns (MDRs). These MDRs are frequently seen in racial and ethnic minorities, but less is known about the relevance of such MDRs in immigrant families. To investigate the MDRs of household income on children's depression as a function of immigration, we compared non-immigrant and immigrant children for the effect of household income on children's depressive symptoms. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted across multiple cities in the United States. Baseline data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study collected in 2018 was used. A total of 6,412 children between the ages of 9-10-year-old were included. The predictor variable was household income. The primary outcome was children's depression measured by the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Race, ethnicity, age, sex, parental marital status, parental employment, and financial difficulties were the covariates. Immigration status was the effect modifier. Results Overall, high household income was associated with lower children's depressive symptoms. Immigration status showed a statistically significant interaction with household income on children's depression. This interaction term suggested that high household income has a smaller protective effect against depression for immigrant children than non-immigrant children. Conclusion The protective effect of household income against children's depression is diminished for immigrant than non-immigrant children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shervin Assari
- Department of Family Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA.,Department of Urban Public Health, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
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Assari S, Akhlaghipour G, Boyce S, Bazargan M, Caldwell CH. Parental Human Capital and Adolescents' Executive Function: Immigrants' Diminished Returns. MEDICAL RESEARCH ARCHIVES 2020; 8:10.18103/mra.v8i10.2235. [PMID: 33251336 PMCID: PMC7695233 DOI: 10.18103/mra.v8i10.2235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Racial minorities, particularly non-Hispanic Blacks in the US, experience weaker effects of family socioeconomic position (SEP) on tangible outcomes, a pattern called Minorities' Diminished Returns (MDRs). These MDRs are frequently shown for the effects of family SEP on immigrant adolescents' school performance. As a result of these MDRs, immigrant adolescents from high SEP families show worse than expected cognitive outcomes, including but not limited to poor school performance. However, the existing knowledge is minimal about the role of executive function in explaining diminished returns of family SEP on adolescents' outcomes. To investigate racial differences in the effects of parental human capital on adolescents' executive function, we compared non-Hispanic White non-immigrant and immigrant adolescents for the effect of parental human capital on adolescents' executive function. This was a cross-sectional analysis that included 2,723 non-twin non-Hispanic White adolescents from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. The independent variable was parental human capital (parental educational attainment), treated as a continuous measure with a higher score reflecting higher subjective socioeconomic status. The primary outcome was adolescents' executive function measured by the stop-signal task (SST). Age, sex, parental marital status, parental employment, family income, and financial difficulties. Immigration status was the effect modifier. Overall, high parental human capital was associated with higher task-based executive function. Immigration status showed statistically significant interactions with parental human capital on adolescents' executive function outcomes. This interaction term suggested that high parental human capital has a smaller effect on increasing immigrants' executive function compared to non-immigrant adolescents. The boosting effect of parental human capital on executive function is diminished for immigrants compared to non-immigrant adolescents. To minimize the inequalities in executive function-related outcomes such as school performance, we need to address the diminishing returns of existing resources for immigrants. Not only should we equalize groups based on their SEP but also equalize the marginal returns of their existing SEP. Such efforts require public policies that aim for equal processes. As such, social policies should address structural and societal barriers such as xenophobia, segregation, racism, and discrimination that hinder immigrant families' ability to effectively utilize their resources. In a fair society, immigrant and non-immigrant families should be equally able to leverage their SEP resources and turn them into tangible outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shervin Assari
- Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Golnoush Akhlaghipour
- Department of Pediatrics, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
| | - Shanika Boyce
- Department of Family Medicine, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
| | - Mohsen Bazargan
- Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
| | - Cleopatra H Caldwell
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
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