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Assari S, Zare H. Handing Money to the Poor Is Never Enough: The Impact of Marginalization-Related Diminished Returns. GLOBAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE 2024; 4:34-43. [PMID: 39220144 PMCID: PMC11364258 DOI: 10.31586/gjeid.2024.1026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Recent US studies such as Baby's First Years have again demonstrated that unconditional cash transfers and guaranteed income do not lead to significant improvements in the health, economic status, and well-being of individuals living in poverty. In this perspective article we review the emerging literature on this topic and offer explanations for the observed outcomes. We then apply the theory and empirical evidence on marginalization-related diminished returns (MDRs) also called minorities diminished returns (MDRs) to elucidate the weak or null effects of cash transfers in the lives of marginalized populations. According to the MDR theory, marginalization not only reduces access to resources but also reduces their utility. Individuals who experience long-term poverty and marginalization exhibit smaller than expected benefits from new resources, such as cash, in adulthood. This is due to the deeply entrenched structural barriers and systemic discrimination that persist throughout their lives. The existing literature suggests that socioeconomic changes in adulthood have limited impact on the health and well-being of populations that have been raised in poverty. This is because the advantages of increased socioeconomic status (SES) are often undermined by ongoing marginalization and limited access to supportive resources and opportunities. As a result, simply providing cash transfers is insufficient to create substantial and lasting improvements in the lives of those living in poverty. To address these challenges, we recommend a multifaceted approach that includes childhood poverty prevention, interventions aimed at reducing marginalization, and comprehensive multi-sector strategies. By focusing on early intervention and addressing the root causes of poverty and marginalization, we can create more effective and sustainable solutions to improve health and well-being among disadvantaged populations. This holistic approach recognizes the complexity of poverty and the necessity of addressing both immediate needs and long-term structural barriers to achieve meaningful change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shervin Assari
- Department of Internal Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Family Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Urban Public Health, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Marginalization-Related Diminished Returns (MDRs) Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Hossein Zare
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
- School of Business, University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), College Park, United States
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Assari S, Zare H. Walking the Divide: A Public Health Journey from Manhattan to Harlem. JOURNAL OF SOCIAL MATHEMATICAL & HUMAN ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2024; 3:7-15. [PMID: 39219735 PMCID: PMC11364259 DOI: 10.31586/jsmhes.2024.1018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
This paper examines the striking contrasts and inequalities observation by walking from Manhattan to Harlem in New York City, highlighting the significant social and economic differences that have profound implications for public health and social policy. Through this journey, we explore various aspects including racial segregation, the composition of shops, smoking habits, street cleanliness, police presence, unemployment, real estate disparities, and the pervasive sense of insecurity. The transition from a predominantly White Manhattan to a predominantly Black and Hispanic Harlem underscores the historical and systemic inequalities that continue to shape the city's demographic and economic landscape. These disparities, rooted in discriminatory housing policies, economic disparities, and social exclusion, manifest in poorer health outcomes, higher rates of substance use, and limited economic opportunities for minority populations. By addressing these structural issues through targeted policies and sustained interventions, policymakers may work towards reducing health disparities and promoting racial equity. This paper also highlights the concept of Minorities' Diminished Returns (MDRs), where the benefits of education and income are less pronounced for minority individuals compared to their White counterparts, further perpetuating cycles of disadvantage. Comprehensive efforts to dismantle systemic inequities are essential for fostering a more equitable and healthy society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shervin Assari
- Department of Internal Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Family Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Urban Public Health, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Marginalization-Related Diminished Returns (MDRs) Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Hossein Zare
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
- School of Business, University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), Adelphi, MD, United States
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Assari S, Zare H. Household Income and Offspring Education Explain Blacks' Diminished Returns of Parental Education. OPEN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2024; 4:18-29. [PMID: 39091591 PMCID: PMC11292485 DOI: 10.31586/ojp.2024.986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Background High parental education promotes various aspects of offspring well-being including reducing their risk of depression/anxiety, criminal justice involvement, and welfare reliance. However, according to minorities' diminished returns, these benefits are not equal across racial groups, with Black families experiencing diminished returns of parental education compared to White families. This study explores the role of household income and offspring educational attainment as potential serial pathways that operate as mechanisms underlying diminished returns of parental education on offspring outcomes in Black families. Gender differences in these effects were also explored. Methods Utilizing data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) over a 22-year follow-up period (seven waves), we examined the serial mediation by household income and offspring educational attainment in explaining the relationship between parental education and offspring outcomes namely depression, anxiety, criminal justice involvement, and welfare reliance [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)]. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) with household income as the first mediator and young adult education as the second mediator. Multi-group models were used to explore gender differences in these paths. Results The study confirmed the role of our proposed serial mediators for Blacks' weaker effects of parental education on offspring outcomes. We observed weaker effects of first affects household income, with this effect being for Black families compared to White families, which then impacted educational attainment of the offspring. The findings indicate that household income plays a crucial mediating role, but its effect is weaker in Black families. Additionally, the educational attainment of offspring from highly educated Black parents is less effective in improving outcomes compared to their White peers, further contributing to diminished returns. Some gender differences were observed for the effects of educational attainment on economic and health outcomes of young adults. Conclusions The study underscores the need to reconsider traditional assumptions about the comparability of family conditions and outcomes across racial groups with similar levels of parental education. The findings highlight the importance of targeted policies and interventions aimed at enhancing the economic stability and educational outcomes of Black families to address these disparities. Policies should focus on promoting the economic well-being of highly educated Black parents and improving the educational outcomes of their children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shervin Assari
- Department of Internal Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Family Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Urban Public Health, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Marginalization-Related Diminished Returns (MDRs) Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Hossein Zare
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
- School of Business, University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), College Park, MD, United States
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Assari S. Racial Differences in Biopsychosocial Pathways to Tobacco and Marijuana Use Among Youth. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2024:10.1007/s40615-024-02035-8. [PMID: 38807026 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-024-02035-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The influence of socioeconomic disparities and multidimensional stressors on youth tobacco and marijuana use is recognized; however, the extent of these effects varies among different racial groups. Understanding the racial differences in the factors influencing substance use is crucial for developing tailored interventions aimed at reducing disparities in tobacco and marijuana use among adolescents. AIMS This study aims to explore the differential effects of socioeconomic disparities and multidimensional stressors on tobacco and marijuana use between Black and White adolescents. METHODS Utilizing longitudinal data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, this research includes a cohort of pre-youth, monitored from the age of 9-10 years for a period of up to 36 months. We examined the impact of various socioeconomic status (SES) indicators and multidimensional stressors, including trauma, financial stress, racial discrimination, and family stress, alongside baseline average cortical thickness and the subsequent initiation of tobacco and marijuana use over the 36-month follow-up. RESULTS Overall, 10,777 participants entered our analysis. This included 8263 White and 2514 Black youth. Our findings indicate significant differences in the pathways from SES indicators through stress types to cortical thickness between Black and White youths. Notably, cortical thickness's impact on the future initiation of tobacco and marijuana use was present in both groups. CONCLUSION The study suggests that compared to White adolescents, Black adolescents' substance use and associated cortical thickness are less influenced by stress and SES indicators. This discrepancy may be attributed to the compounded effects of racism, where psychosocial mechanisms might be more diminished for Black youth than White youth. These findings support the theory of Minorities' Diminished Returns rather than the cumulative disadvantage or double jeopardy hypothesis, highlighting the need for interventions that address the unique challenges faced by Black adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shervin Assari
- Department of Internal Medicine, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science, 1731 E. 120th St., Los Angeles, CA, 90059, USA.
- Department of Family Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Urban Public Health, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Marginalization-Related Diminished Returns, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Stavridou A, Samiakou C, Kourti A, Tsiorou S, Panagouli E, Thirios A, Psaltopoulou T, Sergentanis TN, Tsitsika A. Sexual Activity in Adolescents and Young Adults through COVID-19 Pandemic. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 8:577. [PMID: 34356556 PMCID: PMC8306416 DOI: 10.3390/children8070577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been postulated that the sexual life of adolescent and young adults has been impacted in various aspects, potentially affecting their well-being. Our aim is to investigate the potential changes in the sexual activity and relationships of adolescents and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. In general, a decrease in sexual desire was reported during the COVID-19 pandemic, in both genders. Fewer sexual intercourses and bonding behaviors between partners were associated with loneliness and depressive symptoms. On the contrary, an increase in sexual desire was expressed in a few people, with masturbation to be the most preferable means of satisfaction. The present paper highlights the multifaceted impact of COVID-19 upon the sexual life of adolescents and young adults during the ongoing pandemic. The changes observed in their sexual activity and relationships, could provide the basis of future preventive and educational programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Androniki Stavridou
- 2nd Department of Pediatrics, “P. & A. Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (C.S.); (A.K.); (S.T.); (E.P.); (A.T.); (T.N.S.)
| | - Chrysa Samiakou
- 2nd Department of Pediatrics, “P. & A. Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (C.S.); (A.K.); (S.T.); (E.P.); (A.T.); (T.N.S.)
| | - Anastasia Kourti
- 2nd Department of Pediatrics, “P. & A. Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (C.S.); (A.K.); (S.T.); (E.P.); (A.T.); (T.N.S.)
| | - Stauroula Tsiorou
- 2nd Department of Pediatrics, “P. & A. Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (C.S.); (A.K.); (S.T.); (E.P.); (A.T.); (T.N.S.)
| | - Eleni Panagouli
- 2nd Department of Pediatrics, “P. & A. Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (C.S.); (A.K.); (S.T.); (E.P.); (A.T.); (T.N.S.)
| | - Athanasios Thirios
- 2nd Department of Pediatrics, “P. & A. Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (C.S.); (A.K.); (S.T.); (E.P.); (A.T.); (T.N.S.)
| | - Theodora Psaltopoulou
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, “Alexandra” Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece;
| | - Theodoros N. Sergentanis
- 2nd Department of Pediatrics, “P. & A. Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (C.S.); (A.K.); (S.T.); (E.P.); (A.T.); (T.N.S.)
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, “Alexandra” Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece;
| | - Artemis Tsitsika
- 2nd Department of Pediatrics, “P. & A. Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (C.S.); (A.K.); (S.T.); (E.P.); (A.T.); (T.N.S.)
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Potential of Beetroot and Blackcurrant Compounds to Improve Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11060338. [PMID: 34070362 PMCID: PMC8228969 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11060338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of metabolic abnormalities, which together lead to increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), as well as reduced quality of life. Dietary nitrate, betalains and anthocyanins may improve risk factors for MetS and reduce the risk of development of CHD and T2DM. Beetroot is a rich source of dietary nitrate, and anthocyanins are present in high concentrations in blackcurrants. This narrative review considers the efficacy of beetroot and blackcurrant compounds as potential agents to improve MetS risk factors, which could lead to decreased risk of CHD and T2DM. Further research is needed to establish the mechanisms through which these outcomes may occur, and chronic supplementation studies in humans may corroborate promising findings from animal models and acute human trials.
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Assari S, Boyce S, Bazargan M, Thomas A, Cobb RJ, Hudson D, Curry TJ, Nicholson HL, Cuevas AG, Mistry R, Chavous TM, Caldwell CH, Zimmerman MA. Parental Educational Attainment, the Superior Temporal Cortical Surface Area, and Reading Ability among American Children: A Test of Marginalization-Related Diminished Returns. CHILDREN-BASEL 2021; 8:children8050412. [PMID: 34070118 PMCID: PMC8158386 DOI: 10.3390/children8050412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have shown that parental educational attainment is associated with a larger superior temporal cortical surface area associated with higher reading ability in children. Simultaneously, the marginalization-related diminished returns (MDRs) framework suggests that, due to structural racism and social stratification, returns of parental education are smaller for black and other racial/ethnic minority children compared to their white counterparts. PURPOSE This study used a large national sample of 9-10-year-old American children to investigate associations between parental educational attainment, the right and left superior temporal cortical surface area, and reading ability across diverse racial/ethnic groups. METHODS This was a cross-sectional analysis that included 10,817 9-10-year-old children from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. Parental educational attainment was treated as a five-level categorical variable. Children's right and left superior temporal cortical surface area and reading ability were continuous variables. Race/ethnicity was the moderator. To adjust for the nested nature of the ABCD data, mixed-effects regression models were used to test the associations between parental education, superior temporal cortical surface area, and reading ability overall and by race/ethnicity. RESULTS Overall, high parental educational attainment was associated with greater superior temporal cortical surface area and reading ability in children. In the pooled sample, we found statistically significant interactions between race/ethnicity and parental educational attainment on children's right and left superior temporal cortical surface area, suggesting that high parental educational attainment has a smaller boosting effect on children's superior temporal cortical surface area for black than white children. We also found a significant interaction between race and the left superior temporal surface area on reading ability, indicating weaker associations for Alaskan Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AIAN/NHPI) than white children. We also found interactions between race and parental educational attainment on reading ability, indicating more potent effects for black children than white children. CONCLUSION While parental educational attainment may improve children's superior temporal cortical surface area, promoting reading ability, this effect may be unequal across racial/ethnic groups. To minimize the racial/ethnic gap in children's brain development and school achievement, we need to address societal barriers that diminish parental educational attainment's marginal returns for middle-class minority families. Social and public policies need to go beyond equal access and address structural and societal barriers that hinder middle-class families of color and their children. Future research should test how racism, social stratification, segregation, and discrimination, which shape the daily lives of non-white individuals, take a toll on children's brains and academic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shervin Assari
- Minorities’ Diminished Returns (MDRs) Center, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA; (S.B.); (M.B.)
- Department of Urban Public Health, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
- Department of Family Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Shanika Boyce
- Minorities’ Diminished Returns (MDRs) Center, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA; (S.B.); (M.B.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
| | - Mohsen Bazargan
- Minorities’ Diminished Returns (MDRs) Center, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA; (S.B.); (M.B.)
- Department of Family Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
- Department of Family Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Alvin Thomas
- Human Development and Family Studies Department, School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA;
| | - Ryon J. Cobb
- Department of Sociology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
| | - Darrell Hudson
- Brown School, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA;
| | - Tommy J. Curry
- Department of Philosophy, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JS, UK;
| | - Harvey L. Nicholson
- Department of Sociology and Criminology & Law, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7330, USA;
| | - Adolfo G. Cuevas
- Psychosocial Determinants of Health (PSDH) Lab, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02155, USA;
- Department of Community Health, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Ritesh Mistry
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA; (R.M.); (C.H.C.); (M.A.Z.)
| | - Tabbye M. Chavous
- School of Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA;
- National Center for Institutional Diversity, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA
| | - Cleopatra H. Caldwell
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA; (R.M.); (C.H.C.); (M.A.Z.)
- Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture, and Health (CRECH), University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA
| | - Marc A. Zimmerman
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA; (R.M.); (C.H.C.); (M.A.Z.)
- Prevention Research Center, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA
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Assari S. Parental Education and Spanking of American Children: Blacks' Diminished Returns. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 7:19-44. [PMID: 32734000 DOI: 10.22158/wjer.v7n3p19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Based on the Minorities' Diminished Returns (MDRs) framework, high socioeconomic status (SES) indicators such as parental education shows weaker protective effects against adverse experiences for Blacks than Whites. For example, Black children with highly educated parents report high levels of depression, anxiety, suicide, smoking, obesity, and chronic disease. Limited knowledge exists on MDRs of parental education on the child's exposure to spanking by the mother. Aims Built on the MDRs framework, we tested the hypothesis of whether the effect of parental education on the child's exposure to spanking by the mother differs in Black and White families. We hypothesized that: 1) there is an inverse association between mothers' educational attainment and child spanking, and 2) the effect of mothers' educational attainment on mothers' spanking of the child is weaker for Black than White families. Methods We used data from the Fragile Families and Child Well-being Study (FFCWS), a 9-year follow up study of a random sample of births in cities larger than 200,000 population. In this analysis, 2722 Black or White families were followed. The main predictor was parental educational attainment at birth. The outcomes were exposure to spanking at ages 3, 5, and 9. Logistic regression was used for data analysis. Results Higher parental educational attainment at birth was inversely associated with the child's exposure to spanking by the mother among Whites, not Blacks. We also found a significant interaction between parental educational attainment at birth and race, suggesting that the associations between parental education and child exposure to spanking by the mother at ages 3, 5, and 9 were weaker for Black than White families. Conclusions Diminished returns of parental educational attainment in terms of reducing children's exposure to trauma and stress may be a mechanism that contributes to racial health disparities, particularly poor health of children in highly educated Black families. That is a smaller protective effect of parental education on reducing undesired exposures for Black than White children may be one of the mechanisms that may explain why children develop worse than expected physical, mental, and behavioral health in high SES Black families. Not all health disparities are due to racial differences in SES, but some of them are also secondary to the diminishing returns of socioeconomic status indicators such as parental education for racial minorities. Research should study contextual, structural, family, and behavioral factors that reduce Black families' ability to mobilize their human capital and secure health outcomes for themselves and their children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shervin Assari
- Department of Family Medicine, Charles R. Drew University, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
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Assari S, Boyce S, Bazargan M, Caldwell CH. African Americans' Diminished Returns of Parental Education on Adolescents' Depression and Suicide in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ 2020; 10:656-668. [PMID: 32656052 PMCID: PMC7351357 DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe10020048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
To investigate racial and ethnic differences in the protective effects of parental education and marital status against adolescents' depressed mood and suicidal attempts in the U.S. As proposed by the Marginalization-related Diminished Returns (MDRs), parental education generates fewer tangible outcomes for non-White compared to White families. Our existing knowledge is very limited regarding diminished returns of parental education and marital status on adolescents' depressed mood and suicidal attempts. To compare racial groups for the effects of parental education and marital status on adolescents' depressed mood and suicidal attempt. This cross-sectional study included 7076 non-Hispanic White or African American 8-11 years old adolescents from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. The independent variables were parental education and marital status. The main outcomes were depressed mood and suicidal attempts based on parents' reports using the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS). Age and gender were the covariates. Race was the moderator. Logistic regression was used to analyze the ABCD data. Overall, parental education was associated with lower odds of depressed mood (OR = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.67-0.99; p = 0.037) and having married parents was associated with lower odds of suicidal attempts (OR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.28-0.91; p = 0.022). In the pooled sample, we found interaction terms between race with parental education and marital status on the outcomes, suggesting that the protective effect of having married parents against depressed mood (OR = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.00-2.37; p = 0.048) and the protective effect of having married parents against suicidal attempts (OR = 6.62; 95% CI = 2.21-19.86; p =0.001) are weaker for African Americans when compared to Whites. The protective effects of parent education and marital status against depressed mood and suicidal attempts are diminished for African American adolescents compared to White adolescents. There is a need for programs and interventions that equalize not only socioeconomic status (SES) but also the marginal returns of SES for racial minority groups. Such efforts require addressing structural and societal barriers that hinder African American families from translating their SES resources and human capital into tangible outcomes. There is a need for studies that can minimize MDRs for African American families, so that every individual and every family can benefit from their resources regardless of their skin color. To achieve such a goal, we need to help middle-class African American families secure tangible outcomes in the presence of SES resources.
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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;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-734-232-0445; Fax: +1-734-615-8739
| | - Shanika Boyce
- Department of Pediatrics, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA;
| | - Mohsen Bazargan
- Department of Family Medicine, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA;
- Department of Family Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Cleopatra H. Caldwell
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
- Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture, and Health, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Assari S, Boyce S, Caldwell CH, Bazargan M. Minorities' Diminished Returns of Parental Educational Attainment on Adolescents' Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Problems. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 7:E49. [PMID: 32443584 PMCID: PMC7278850 DOI: 10.3390/children7050049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Aim: To compare racial groups for the effect of parental educational attainment on adolescents' social, emotional, and behavioral problems. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 10,762 youth from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study were included. The independent variable was parental educational attainment. The main outcomes were 1) anxious and depressed mood, 2) withdrawn and depressed affect, 3) somatic complaints, 4) social and interpersonal problems, 5) thought problems, 6) rule-breaking behaviors, 7) attention problems, and 8) violent and aggressive behaviors. These scores were generated based on parent-reported behavioral problems measured using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Race and ethnicity were the moderators. Linear regression was used to analyze the ABCD data. Results: Overall, high parental educational attainment was associated with lower scores across all domains. Race and ethnicity showed statistically significant interactions with parental educational attainment on adolescents' fewer social, emotional, and behavioral problems (all domains), net of all confounders, indicating smaller tangible gains from their parental educational attainment for Black and Hispanic compared to non-Hispanic White adolescents. Conclusion: The protective effects of parental education against social, emotional, and behavioral problems are systematically diminished for Hispanic and Black than non-Hispanic White adolescents.
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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;
| | - Shanika Boyce
- Department of Pediatrics, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA;
| | - Cleopatra H. Caldwell
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA;
- Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture, and Health, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA
| | - Mohsen Bazargan
- Department of Family Medicine, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA;
- Department of Family Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Boyce S, Bazargan M, Caldwell CH, Zimmerman MA, Assari S. Parental Educational Attainment and Social Environmental of Urban Public Schools in the U.S.: Blacks' Diminished Returns. CHILDREN-BASEL 2020; 7:children7050044. [PMID: 32397657 PMCID: PMC7278682 DOI: 10.3390/children7050044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: Recent research has documented marginalization-related diminished returns (MDRs) of socioeconomic status (SES), defined as weaker effects of SES indicators, such as parental educational attainment, on securing tangible outcomes for the members of socially marginalized (e.g., racial and ethnic minority) groups, compared to privileged social groups (e.g., non-Hispanic Whites). Aims: To explore race/ethnic differences between non-Hispanic Blacks vs. non-Hispanic Whites who attend urban public schools on the effect of parental education on lower school environmental risk among American high schoolers. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, we borrowed the Education Longitudinal Study (ELS-2002) baseline data, a nationally representative study that enrolled 1706 10th grade youths who were attending urban public schools. From this number, 805 (47.2%) were non-Hispanic Black and 901 (52.8%) were non-Hispanic White youths. The dependent variable was the level of school social environmental risk measured using 18 items as self-reported, and was treated as a continuous variable. The independent variable was parental educational attainment, treated as a continuous measure. Gender, region, and parental marital status were the covariates. Race/ethnicity was the moderating variable. Linear regressions were applied to perform our data analysis. Results: Black students were found to attend schools with higher levels of social environmental risk. Youths with parents with a higher educational attainment were found to attend schools with a lower social environmental risk. We found a significant interaction between race (non-Hispanic Black vs. non-Hispanic White) and parental educational attainment on the level of school social environmental risk, suggesting that the protective effect of high parental education on reducing the school social environmental risk was smaller for non-Hispanic Black than for non-Hispanic White youths. Conclusions: Although high parental educational attainment is protective against social environmental risk for American youths, this protective effect is weaker for non-Hispanic Black than non-Hispanic White youths. The diminished returns of parental education in reducing school social environmental risk may explain why the effects of parental education on educational outcomes are smaller for non-Hispanic Black than non-Hispanic White youths (i.e., MDRs). The social environment indirectly generates racial youth educational disparities through deteriorating non-Hispanic Black youth educational outcomes across all SES levels. To prevent the confounding effects of private, suburban, rural, and Catholic schools, we limited this analysis to public urban schools. More research is needed on other settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanika Boyce
- Departments of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA; (S.B.); (M.B.)
| | - Mohsen Bazargan
- Departments of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA; (S.B.); (M.B.)
- Departments of Family Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Cleopatra H. Caldwell
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (C.H.C.); (M.A.Z.)
- Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture, and Health (CRECH), School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Marc A. Zimmerman
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (C.H.C.); (M.A.Z.)
| | - Shervin Assari
- Departments of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
- Correspondence:
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Assari S. Social Determinants of Delayed Gratification among American Children. CASPIAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES 2020; 6:181-189. [PMID: 33215045 DOI: 10.32598/cjns.6.22.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A wide array of socioeconomic status (SES) indicators tend to show differential effects for members of diverse social groups. Limited knowledge exists on ethnic variation in the effects of family income on delay discounting which is predictor of risk behaviors. OBJECTIVES This study tested whether the effect of family income on delayed gratification differs between Latino and non-Latino children. METHODS AND MATERIALS In this cross-sectional analytical study, data came from wave one of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study which included 3903 non-Latino or Latino Black or White American children between ages 9 and 10 years old. The predictor was family income. Data were collected in 21 sits in the US in 2018. The outcome was children's delay discounting. We measured delay discounting, which reflected individuals' tendency to assign less value to remote outcomes and rewards (inversely correlated with delayed gratification). Using SPSS 22.0, linear regression was used for data analysis. RESULTS According to our pooled sample regression, higher family income was associated with lower children delay discounting (Beta= -0.05, p = .021). We found a significant interaction between family income and ethnicity, suggesting that the association between family income and delay discounting is stronger for Latino than non-Latino children (Beta= -0.09, p = .043). CONCLUSIONS Not all ethnic disparities are due to SES gaps; differential returns of socioeconomic status indicators, such as family income, across diverse social groups also contribute to ethnic disparities in health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shervin Assari
- Department of Family Medicine, Charles R. Drew University, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
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