The role of perceived peer prejudice and teacher discrimination on adolescent substance use: a social determinants approach

Do We Belong? Examining the Associations Between Adolescents' Perceptions of School Belonging, Teacher Discrimination, Peer Prejudice and Suicide

In the USA, suicide is a leading cause of death for adolescents ages 12 to 18 (National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 2019). Given the urgency of this public health crisis, this paper aims to explore the impact of a sense of school belonging and teacher-based discrimination and peer-based prejudice on suicidal ideation and attempts among Black youth. This secondary analysis used a sample of Black youth (N = 4229; Mage = 16) from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescents to Adult Health data. Independent variables included a sense of school belonging, school-based teacher discrimination, and school-based peer prejudice; the dependent variable was suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The results of multinomial regression analyses revealed that as Black adolescents' sense of school belonging decreased, they were 35% more likely to be at risk for suicidal ideation and attempts. Findings from our study support the assertion that the school microsystem plays a substantial role in modifying the risk of suicidal behavior among Black youth.

Testing mediating pathways between school segregation and health: Evidence on peer prejudice and health behaviors

School racial segregation is increasingly recognized as a threat to US public health: rising segregation in recent decades has been linked to a range of poor health outcomes for Black Americans. Key theorized mediators of these harms remain underexamined, including experiences of interpersonal and institutional racism driving increased stress, and peers' health behaviors influencing students' own. Using cross-sectional survey data on a national sample of adolescents, we investigated associations between school segregation and these two potential mediating pathways, operationalized as adolescents' perceptions of prejudice from fellow students and the health behaviors of their peers (drinking and smoking). We further investigated whether associations were modified by individual race/ethnicity and school racial composition. Pooling across all schools and students, higher levels of school segregation were associated with decreased perceptions of peer prejudice (OR 0.54, 95% CI = 0.34-0.86), but not with peers' health behaviors. However, this masked important differences by respondents' race/ethnicity and school racial/ethnic composition. In predominantly White schools, school segregation was not associated with Black students' perceptions of peers' prejudice, but higher levels of segregation were associated with increased rates of peers' drinking and smoking. In predominantly non-White schools, in contrast-where most Black students are educated-higher levels of school segregation were not associated with perceived peer prejudice nor unhealthier peer behaviors for Black students (in fact, peers' health behaviors improved). And across both school types, higher levels of district segregation were associated with lower odds of reporting peer prejudice among non-Black students of color. Our findings suggest that the paths between school segregation and poor health depend on the type of school children attend in segregated districts. In schools predominantly serving students of color, structural factors upheld by school segregation-i.e., material, educational, disciplinary, or economic disadvantage-likely dominate over peer behaviors as the primary drivers of segregation's health harms.

Perceived Discrimination in School: a Longitudinal Look at the Impact on Expectations and Health

The purpose of the study was to look at levels of perceived discrimination in school among students of different races and to assess whether there are significant short- or long-term effects as they develop. This study analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, which is a multi-stage nationally representative study of individuals who were in 7th-12th grade during the 1994-1995 school year. Responses on teacher discrimination items showed that Black students reported the highest levels of perceived teacher discrimination. Educational expectations were lowest for Hispanic students. At wave three, participants who identified their race/ethnicity as Hispanic or other reported the worst overall health, whereas at wave four, White participants had significantly better overall health than the other three groups. Teacher discrimination was found to be a significant predictor for educational expectations, income expectations, and overall health eight and 15 years later. When stratified by race, higher teacher discrimination predicted lower educational expectations and poorer overall health eight years later for Black, Hispanic, and White students.

School Prejudice and Substance Use from Adolescence to Emerging Adulthood in the United States: Variation across Race and Ethnicity

BACKGROUND

Racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes have been consistently documented in the health literature. Until recently, many studies have evidenced associations between prejudice and health behaviors using cross-sectional data. However, studies assessing the link between school prejudice and health behaviors from adolescence to adulthood are limited.

METHODS

To address this gap, we use data from Waves I, II, and III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (1994-2002) to examine how perceptions of school prejudice over time influence cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and marijuana use from adolescence to emerging adulthood. We also examine variation across race and ethnicity.

RESULTS

Results indicate that school prejudice in adolescence (Wave I) is associated with higher cigarette use, alcohol use, and marijuana use in later adolescence (Wave II). White and Asian adolescents who perceived school prejudice were more likely to use alcohol, while Hispanic adolescents were more likely to use marijuana.

CONCLUSIONS

Efforts to reduce school prejudice among adolescents may have implications in reducing substance use.

Perceived discrimination, integration, depression and behavioral problems among Chinese migrant children: Examining the moderating role of migration pattern in the rural-urban dual system

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of perceived discrimination on children's depression and behavioral problems via the mediator of integration among Chinese migrant children. Rural-urban differences in the proposed relationships are also examined.

METHODS

The sample included 484 migrant children (Mean age = 11.65 years; 52.9% girls), which was collected through multi-stage cluster random sampling in Kunming, Southwest China. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was adopted for data analysis.

RESULTS

Results indicate that perceived discrimination reduces the integration of Chinese migrant children, which in turn, leads to their higher levels of depression and more behavioral problems. The multi-group analysis on rural-urban differences reveals that the effects of discrimination on depression and behavioral problems are significant among rural-urban migrants but not among urban-urban ones.

CONCLUSIONS

This study contributes to current knowledge by revealing the mechanisms among perceived discrimination, integration, depression and behavioral problems of Chinese migrant children. The migration pattern differences in terms of their depression and behavioral problems are also highlighted.

Vicarious racial discrimination, racial identity, and alcohol-related outcomes among Black young adults: An experimental approach

Objective: Racial discrimination is a known risk factor for alcohol-related outcomes among young Black American adults. However, vicarious racial discrimination's associations with alcohol-related outcomes and the role of racial identity in these associations remain unknown. This within-subject experiment study tested whether associations of vicarious racial discrimination with alcohol craving and attentional bias differed by three components of racial identity (centrality, private regard, and public regard). Method: Black young adult, at-risk drinkers (N = 51; Mage = 21 [SD = 3.02]; 60% female) completed two vicarious racial discrimination conditions (manipulated by video) followed by alcohol craving and attentional bias tasks. Results: Associations of vicarious discrimination with alcohol craving were exacerbated by high centrality and buffered by high private regard, but did not differ by public regard. No associations of vicarious discrimination with alcohol attention bias were found. Conclusion: Findings highlight the important role of Black racial identity in within-group differences in the impact of vicarious racial discrimination on select implicit indicators of alcohol risk among Black young adults. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Delay discounting and neurocognitive correlates among inner city adolescents with and without family history of substance use disorder

Adolescents with a family history (FH+) of substance use disorder (SUD) are at a greater risk for SUD, suggested to be partly due to the transmission of behavioral impulsivity. We used a delay discounting task to compare impulsivity in decision-making and its associated brain functioning among FH+ and FH - minority adolescents. Participants chose between Smaller Sooner (SS) and Larger Later (LL) rewards. The SS was available immediately (Now trials) or in the future (Not-Now trials), allowing for greater differentiation between impulsive decisions. The FH+ group showed greater impatience by responding SS more frequently than the FH - group, only on the Now trials, and even when the relative reward differences (RRD) increased. Surprisingly, there were no differences in brain activity between the groups. Combined, the groups showed greater reward activity during the Now vs. Not-Now trials in medial prefrontal/anterior cingulate, posterior cingulate, precuneus, and inferior frontal gyrus (i.e., an immediacy effect). As the RRD increased activation in the reward network decreased, including the striatum, possibly reflecting easy decision-making. These results indicate that risk for SUD, seen behaviorally among FH+ adolescents, may not yet be associated with discernable brain changes, suggesting that early intervention has the potential to reduce this risk.

School and Teacher Factors That Promote Adolescents' Bystander Responses to Social Exclusion

Schools may be one important context where adolescents learn and shape the behaviors necessary for promoting global inclusivity in adulthood. Given the importance of bystanders in halting bullying and peer aggression, the focus of this study is on both moral judgments regarding one type of bullying, social exclusion, and factors that are associated with bystander intervention. The study includes 896 adolescents, who were 6th (N = 450, M_age = 11.73), and 9th (N = 446, M_age = 14.82) graders, approximately evenly divided by gender. Participants were primarily European–American (63.3%). Results revealed that girls and participants who perceived better relationships between students and teachers were more likely to judge exclusion to be wrong. Further, ethnic minority participants, those who were more anxious about being rejected by their teachers and reported more teacher discrimination were less likely to judge exclusion as wrong. Participants who reported more positive student–teacher relationships, perceptions of a more positive school social environment and more prior experiences of teacher discrimination were more likely to report that they would seek help for the victim. On the other hand, participants who reported being more angry about teacher rejection, experiencing either peer or teacher discrimination, and perceiving they are excluded from opportunities at school were less likely to intervene to come to the aid of a peer who is being excluded. The results document the complex interplay of school and teacher factors in shaping adolescents’ bystander responses to social exclusion. Our findings suggest that positive school climate can promote intentions to intervene. However, findings indicate that adolescents who are marginalized in their school environments, and who report experiences of rejection, exclusion or discrimination are not willing or likely to intervene to prevent others from experiencing exclusion.

Racial Discrimination Stress, School Belonging, and School Racial Composition on Academic Attitudes and Beliefs among Black Youth

It is important to consider racialized experiences and proximal indicators of academic success for Black youth when understanding the achievement gap. Acknowledging that racial discrimination is detrimental for the academic success of Black youth, this study extended previous research by examining the influence of racial discrimination stress. Using hierarchical regression analysis and a moderated moderation model, this study examined racial discrimination stress and school belonging as predictors of academic attitudes and beliefs among 344 Black youth (M age = 15.6). Additionally, we examined the interactive effects of school belonging as a buffer for racial discrimination stress, with particular focus on majority White schools. Analyses revealed that school belonging was linked with academic competence, academic efficacy, and academic skepticism. Furthermore, school belonging buffered the impact of racial discrimination stress on academic efficacy among Black youth in majority White schools. These findings highlight the co-occurrence of risk and protective factors among Black youth and demonstrate the additive influence of school racial composition on academic attitudes and beliefs. The practical and theoretical implications of these findings demonstrate the crucial role of school context in understanding risk and protective factors for the academic attitudes and beliefs of Black youth.

Discrimination, Stress and Reactivity to Alcohol Cues

Introduction: Our study investigated whether discrimination affects psychologi-cal/physiological stress and alcohol craving.

Method: Participants (N = 92) were asked to recall and write about (a) a neutral, (b) a negative, or (c) a discriminatory experience in the past and then completed a cue-reactivity procedure assessing their alcohol craving. In addition, we assessed levels of perceived stress before and after the discrimination manipulation, chronic substance use and craving, prior perceived discrimination, and strength of racial/ethnic identity.

Results: Results revealed a small effect in which the discrimination condition increased alcohol cue-elicited craving relative to the other conditions. Chronic craving moderated effects of discrimination on cortisol levels. Self-reported stress levels were increased in the discrimination and negative memory conditions relative to baseline. Strength of racial identity served as a protective factor for substance abuse in those who reported chronic high levels of discrimination.

Discussion: We discussed the direct link established between acute exposure to discrimination and craving, and experimental evidence for the relationship between discrimination and self-reported stress, but also addressed potential limitations of this work. It is further discussed how some individual differences factors (e.g., chronic craving) predict physiological stress in discriminatory settings. This work underscored the role of racial identity as a protective factor against alcohol abuse in individuals reporting high levels of discrimination.

A Framework for Race-Related Trauma in the Public Education System and Implications on Health for Black Youth

BACKGROUND

A combination of increased suicide in the past decade, documented high rates of anxiety and depression, and the preponderance of other behavioral and emotional regulation challenges place black youth at risk for school suspension and involvement in the juvenile justice system. Pointing to deficits in black youth and their families negates how forces of racism, whether unconscious or conscious, can disrupt well-being.

METHODS

A framework for race-related trauma in the public education system illustrates the interplay between macro-level forces, such as institutional and symbolic racism, and micro level forces of racism such as racial discrimination and violence. Identifying causal links between these forces and adverse academic and health outcomes for black youth can inform interventions and strategies to reduce race-related trauma.

RESULTS

The framework for race-related trauma is a multi-level analysis of racism and recognizes school districts facing economic restraints and school personnel turnover may face significant challenges in designing intervening strategies.

CONCLUSION

The framework guides change effort towards improving school climate and culture through preparing school professionals to meet the diverse needs of youth, strengthening family and community collaboration, and tackling those policies and behaviors that exclude and disconnect black youth.

Racial discrimination and alcohol use and negative drinking consequences among Black Americans: a meta-analytical review

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Findings of the association between racial discrimination and alcohol use and related consequences are inconsistent, and the role of potential moderators in the association is largely unknown. This meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the discrimination-alcohol literature among Black Americans, estimate the magnitude of associations and explore differences as a function of sample characteristics.

METHODS

Empirical studies reporting the association of racial discrimination with alcohol-related behaviors in an all-black sample were identified via systematic literature search. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted using 33 effect sizes extracted from 27 studies, all of which used US samples (n = 26 894).

RESULTS

Significant positive associations were found for racial discrimination with alcohol consumption [k = 9, confidence interval (CI) = 0.08, 0.17, I²  = 49%, r = 0.12], heavy/binge drinking (k = 12, CI = 0.02, 0.10), I²  = 27%, r = 0.06), at-risk drinking (k = 4, CI = 0.06, 0.23, I²  = 0%, r = 0.14) and negative drinking consequences (k = 5, CI = 0.09, 0.25, I²  = 94%, r = 0.25), but not with alcohol use disorder (k = 3, CI = -0.01, 0.20, I²  = 90%, r = 0.10). Only alcohol consumption and negative drinking consequences showed significant between-study heterogeneity and had a sufficient quantity of studies for moderation analysis (i.e., 4 or more studies). The positive association of racial discrimination with negative drinking consequences was stronger among younger samples; the association with alcohol consumption did not differ by age or proportion of men.

CONCLUSIONS

Experiences of racial discrimination are associated with diverse alcohol-related behaviors among Black Americans, with a stronger association with problematic alcohol use, particularly among younger individuals.

Perceived Discrimination and Substance Use among Adolescents: Examining the Moderating Effect of Distress Tolerance and Negative Urgency

BACKGROUND

Perceived discrimination has been found to increase substance use vulnerability among adolescent populations. However, less is known about individual level factors which may moderate this risk.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the current study is to examine whether two emotion-based personality traits (i.e., distress tolerance and negative urgency) moderates the effect of perceived discrimination on substance use. We hypothesized that high distress tolerance would decrease risk, while high negative urgency would increase risk for substance use as a consequence of discrimination.

METHODS

108 youth ages 12-18 (68.6% male; 56.2% African-American) provided data on perceived discrimination, distress tolerance, negative urgency, and substance use (i.e., alcohol and marijuana use).

RESULTS

Contrary to our hypothesis, no moderating effect was observed for negative urgency. Distress tolerance was found to moderate the relationship, but in the opposite direction than expected.

CONCLUSIONS

It is speculated that this counterintuitive finding may be due to the racial/ethnic composition of the sample, suggesting that distress tolerance may operate differently among minority youth. Further research examining these relationships among minority youth is warranted.

Race, Sex, and Discrimination in School Settings: A Multilevel Analysis of Associations With Delinquency

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is a critical phase of development and experimentation with delinquent behaviors. There is a growing body of literature exploring individual and structural impacts of discrimination on health outcomes and delinquent behaviors. However, there is limited research assessing how school diversity and discrimination impact students' delinquent behaviors. In response, the purpose of this study was to assess if individual- and school-level indicators of discrimination and diversity were associated with student delinquent behaviors among African American and White students.

METHODS

We analyzed Wave I (1994-1995) data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Our analysis was limited to 8947 African American and White students (73% White, 48% male, and 88% parent ≥ high school education). We used multilevel zero-inflated negative binomial regression to test the association of individual- and school characteristics and discrimination with the number of self-reported delinquent behaviors.

RESULTS

Race, sex, perceived peer inclusion, and teacher discrimination were predictors of students' delinquent behaviors. The average school perceived peer inclusion and percentage of African Americans in teaching roles were associated with delinquent behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this study highlight the potential for intervention at the interpersonal and school levels to reduce delinquency among African American and White students.

The Effects of School-Based Discrimination on Adolescents of Color Sexual Health Outcomes: A Social Determinants Approach

Social inequalities are at the heart of disparities in sexual health outcomes among African American and Latino/a adolescents living in the United States. Schools are typically the largest and primary context in youth development. School characteristics such as peer and teacher discrimination and school performance were examined to determine whether such characteristics predict sexual behavior in adolescents of color. This study utilized a representative sample of high school age students to assess sexual risk behavior. Findings indicate that there was a clear disparity in sexually transmitted infection diagnoses. School characteristics such as teacher discrimination and Grade Point Average were significant predictors to sexual risky behaviors among adolescents of color. The study adds to the literature in examining contextual factors that are associated with adolescent sexual risk behavior, and findings provide implications for future prevention work.

Discrimination and drinking: A systematic review of the evidence

Although it is widely accepted that discrimination is associated with heavy and hazardous drinking, particularly within stress and coping frameworks, there has been no comprehensive review of the evidence. In response, we conducted a systematic review of the English language peer-reviewed literature to summarize studies of discrimination and alcohol-related outcomes, broadly defined. Searching six online data bases, we identified 938 non-duplicative titles published between 1980 and 2015, of which 97 met all inclusion criteria for our review and reported quantitative tests of associations between discrimination and alcohol use. We extracted key study characteristics and assessed quality based on reported methodological details. Papers generally supported a positive association; however, the quantity and quality of evidence varied considerably. The largest number of studies was of racial/ethnic discrimination among African Americans in the United States, followed by sexual orientation and gender discrimination. Studies of racial/ethnic discrimination were notable for their frequent use of complex modeling (i.e., mediation, moderation) but focused nearly exclusively on interpersonal discrimination. In contrast, studies of sexual orientation discrimination (i.e., heterosexism, homophobia) examined both internalized and interpersonal aspects; however, the literature largely relied on global tests of association using cross-sectional data. Some populations (e.g., Native Americans, Asian and Pacific Islanders) and types of discrimination (e.g., systemic/structural racism; ageism) received scant attention. This review extends our knowledge of a key social determinant of health through alcohol use. We identified gaps in the evidence base and suggest directions for future research related to discrimination and alcohol misuse.

Prevalence and correlates of substance use among trans female youth ages 16-24 years in the San Francisco Bay Area

BACKGROUND

Substance use is highly prevalent among transgender (trans*) females and has been associated with negative health outcomes, including HIV infection. Little is known about psychosocial risk factors that may influence the onset of substance use among trans*female youth, which can contribute to health disparities during adulthood.

METHODS

We conducted a secondary data analysis of a study on HIV risk and resilience among trans*female youth (N=292). Prevalence of substance use was assessed and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological distress, gender-related discrimination, parental drug or alcohol problems (PDAP) and multiple substance use outcomes.

RESULTS

Most (69%) of the trans*female youth reported recent drug use. In multivariable analyses, those with PTSD had increased odds of drug use [AOR=1.94 (95% CI=1.09-3.44)]. Those who experienced gender-related discrimination had increased odds of drug use [AOR=2.28 (95% CI=1.17-4.44)], drug use concurrent with sex [AOR=2.35 (95% CI=1.11-4.98)] and use of multiple drugs [AOR=3.24 (95% CI=1.52-6.88)]. Those with psychological distress had increased odds of using multiple heavy drugs [AOR=2.27 (95% CI=1.01-5.12)]. Those with PDAP had increased odds of drugs use [AOR=2.62 (95% CI=1.43-4.82)], drug use concurrent with sex [AOR=2.01 (95% CI, 1.15-3.51)] and use of multiple drugs [AOR=2.10 (95% CI=1.22-3.62)].

CONCLUSIONS

Substance use is highly prevalent among trans*female youth and was significantly associated with psychosocial risk factors. In order to effectively address substance use among trans*female youth, efforts must address coping related to gender-based discrimination and trauma. Furthermore, structural level interventions aiming to reduce stigma and gender-identity discrimination might also be effective.

Predictors of Recent Marijuana Use and Past Year Marijuana Use Among a National Sample of Hispanic Youth

BACKGROUND

Marijuana use rates remain higher among Hispanic youth compared to youth from other ethnic groups.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the study was to examine if sex, age, authoritarian parenting, perceived school experiences, lifetime depression, legal involvement, and perceived social norms of marijuana use predicted recent marijuana use and past year marijuana use among Hispanic youth.

METHODS

The participants of this study were a nationwide sample of Hispanic youth (n = 3,457) in the United States. A secondary data analysis of the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health was performed. Unadjusted odds ratios were computed via univariate logistic regression analyses and all statistically significant variables were retained and included in the final multiple logistic regression analyses. Recent marijuana use was operationally defined as use within the past 30 days, and marijuana use in the past year was defined as use within the past year.

RESULTS

Results indicated that 7.5% of Hispanic youth used within the past month and 14.5% of Hispanic youth used within the past year. Results revealed that significant predictors for recent use were age, authoritarian parenting, perceived school experiences, legal involvement, and perceived social norms of youth marijuana use. Predictors for past year were age, perceived school experiences, legal involvement, and perceived social norms of youth marijuana use.

CONCLUSIONS/IMPORTANCE

Findings from this study can be used to address the public health problem of marijuana use among Hispanic youth that is ultimately contributing to health disparities among this ethnic group nationwide. Recommendations for future studies are included.