Abstract
Abstract
Background: Adolescent mental health declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. Racial discrimination, which may negatively affect adolescent mental health, has increased. This study sought to understand whether pre-pandemic reports of racial discrimination predicted changes in adolescent depression, anxiety, and self-esteem from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: Two online surveys were administered at two public high schools in semi-rural, north-central Georgia; one in Spring 2020, just before the closing of public schools due to COVID-19; the other to the same students in Fall 2020.
Results: Most participants were White (62%) and the majority (88%), reported the same or better treatment than other races. No significant associations were found between baseline perceived racial discrimination and changes in mental health outcomes (depression, p=0.6194; anxiety, p=0.8240; self-esteem, p=0.0731).
Conclusions: This study did not find that racial discrimination affected adolescent mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample with majority White students; however, there is a need for future research to examine racial discrimination and mental health stigma among rural adolescents. These findings could help to improve access and utilization of mental health services as well as promote policy reform to foster more equitable practices.
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Recommended Citation
Klosky, Jill V.; Lang, Delia; Woods-Jaeger, Briana; and Gazmararian, Julie
(2024)
"Understanding the Role of Perceived Racial Discrimination on Adolescent Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic,"
Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association: Vol. 10:
No.
1, Article 4.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/jgpha/vol10/iss1/4