Youth Perceptions of Law Enforcement and Worry About Crime from 1976 to 2016

Recent unjust interactions between law enforcement and youth of color may have provoked a “crisis” in American law enforcement. Utilizing Monitoring the Future’s data on distinct, cross-sectional cohorts of 12th graders from each year spanning 1976–2016, we examined whether youth perceptions of law enforcement have changed. We also traced youth worry about crime considering declining perceptions of law enforcement may correspond with increasing worry about crime. Across decades, White youth consistently perceived law enforcement the most positively and worried least about crime, followed by Hispanic/Latinx then Black/African American youth. During the 1990s, among all youth, perceptions of law enforcement declined while worry about crime increased. However, recently, such trends were limited to White youth; among youth of color, perceptions of law enforcement declined while worry about crime remained largely stable. Problematically, youth perceptions of law enforcement recently reached a decades-long low and racial/ethnic gaps in perceptions appear to be growing.

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0359 The Moderating Role of Race in the Association of Adolescent Sleep Duration and Marijuana Use

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.356 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. A137-A137

Author(s):

J C Levenson ◽

B Atuahene ◽

T Bear ◽

K Hacker ◽

E Ricci ◽

...

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Racial Differences ◽

Sleep Duration ◽

African American Youth ◽

Marijuana Use ◽

White Youth ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Insufficient Sleep ◽

Black African ◽

Adolescent Sleep

Abstract Introduction Insufficient sleep and marijuana use during adolescence vary by race and are associated with poor outcomes in various domains. Sleep difficulties predict drug-related problems, but not all adolescents with insufficient sleep go on to use substances. We examined whether race/ethnicity moderates the association of sleep duration and marijuana use among Black/African-American and White adolescents using a countywide probability-based survey of adolescents. Methods Using cross-sectional data (n=1447), logistic regression examined whether race moderated the association of adolescent sleep duration and recent marijuana use alone and after controlling for covariates in both weighted and unweighted models. Results Hours of sleep was significantly negatively associated with recent marijuana use. Black/African-American youth in our sample had up to a 60% increased odds of marijuana use in the past 30 days compared to White youth, and they reported significantly shorter sleep duration than their White peers. In weighted models, Black/African-American youth had an increased probability of marijuana use with fewer hours of sleep as compared to White youth, even after accounting for covariates. Conclusion In our countywide survey of adolescents, we found racial differences in the association of sleep duration and marijuana use. Future work should replicate our analyses with a longitudinal sample of adolescents to better evaluate the direction of these effects. Future efforts should also focus on identifying contextual factors that may explain racial differences in the sleep duration—substance use relationship, as well as developing strategies to reduce disparities in this relationship. Support The Heinz Foundation, the Hillman Foundation, the Grable Foundation, and the FISA Foundation. Dr. Levenson’s effort was supported by NICHD.

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Racial/Ethnic Socialization and Faith

Social Work & Christianity ◽

10.34043/swc.v48i3.245 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 48 (3) ◽

pp. 259-274

Author(s):

Stephanie Boddie ◽

Eric Kyere

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Social Workers ◽

Liberation Theology ◽

Black Church ◽

Sense Of Self ◽

African American Youth ◽

Ethnic Socialization ◽

Positive Development ◽

Black African ◽

Racial Ethnic

Although racial-ethnic socialization (RES) within the African American communities includes faith/spirituality, Christian social workers have not explored this relationship in ways that explicitly integrate the two. As a result, we have limited understanding of how Christian social workers can foster a holistic sense of self that integrates Christian and racial/ethnic identities to foster empowerment and liberation possibilities among black/African American youth. Drawing on literature related to RES and faith/spirituality, we argue that Christians social workers can integrate the process of faith development, with an explicit focus on Black liberation theology, with RES to promote psychological and spiritual liberation to foster self-worth and dignity of black youth to promote their positive development. This paper provides a review of the literature on racial/ethnic socialization. A discussion of how the Black church and liberation theology along with black history positively shapes racial identity and preparation to resist racism. We conclude with some practice and research recommendations

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Teacher Discrimination Reduces School Performance of African American Youth: Role of Gender

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci8100183 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. 183 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Shervin Assari ◽

Cleopatra Howard Caldwell

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

School Performance ◽

African American Youth ◽

National Sample ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Grade Point ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Males And Females

Background: Gender may alter African Americans’ vulnerability to discrimination. The type of outcomes that follow exposure to discrimination may also be gender-specific. Although teacher discrimination is known to deteriorate school performance, it is yet unknown whether male and female African American youth differ in the effect of teacher discrimination on school performance. Objective: This cross-sectional study explored the moderating role of gender on the effect of teacher discrimination on school performance in a national sample of African American youth. Methods: The National Survey of American Life-Adolescent Supplement (NSAL-A) enrolled a nationally representative sample (n = 810) of 13–17-year-old African American youth. Demographic factors, socioeconomic status, teacher discrimination, and school performance (grade point average, GPA) were measured. Linear multivariable regression models were applied for data analysis. Results: Males and females reported similar levels of perceived teacher discrimination. In the pooled sample, higher teacher discrimination was associated with lower school performance among African American youth (b = −0.35; 95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.49 to −0.22). Gender interacted with perceived teacher discrimination (b = 12; 95% CI = 0.24–2.02), suggesting a significant difference between males and females in the magnitude of the association between perceived teacher discrimination and GPA. In stratified models, perceived teacher discrimination was associated with worse school performance of females (b = −12; 95% CI = −0.03 to −2.78) but not males (b = 0.01; 95% CI = −0.07 to 0.08). Conclusion: In line with previous studies, gender was found to alter the vulnerability of African American youth to perceived discrimination. African American boys and girls may differ in their sensitivity to the effects of teacher discrimination on school performance.

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The Association Between Racial Microaggressions and Depressive Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research ◽

10.24839/2325-7342.jn26.2.208 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 208-220

Author(s):

Marisol Aquino ◽

Mia Budescu

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

High School ◽

African American ◽

High School Students ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Racial Microaggressions ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

School Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Black African

The present study investigated whether racial microaggressions, specifically assumptions of inferiority, assumptions of criminality/second class citizenship, and microinvalidations had a relationship with depressive symptoms, and whether this relationship varied by age group (adults vs. adolescents) and race (Black and Latinx). This cross-sectional study compared 194 undergraduate college students who were all over the age of 18 to 168 high school juniors and seniors. All participants identified as either African American/Black or Latinx/Hispanic. The results indicated that respondents identifying as Black/African American, regardless of age, experience higher levels of assumptions of criminality/second class citizenship compared to Latinx respondents, F(2, 350) = 0.82, p = .442, ηp2 = .004. Results also indicated that, among Black/African American college students, but not high school students nor Latinx participants, higher levels of assumptions of inferiority were associated with depressive symptoms (b = .34, SE = 0.07, p < .001). Assumptions of criminality/second class citizenship, on the other hand, were not related with depressive symptoms (b = .06, SE = 0.08, p = .433). Lastly, regardless of race, high school students experienced more microinvalidations than college students, F(2, 350) = 3.97, p = .047, ηp2 =.013. These results underscore developmental changes in how students of color experience race and racism as they transition from adolescence into adulthood.

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Clinician–Patient Racial/Ethnic Concordance Influences Racial/Ethnic Minority Pain: Evidence from Simulated Clinical Interactions

Pain Medicine ◽

10.1093/pm/pnaa258 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (11) ◽

pp. 3109-3125 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Steven R Anderson ◽

Morgan Gianola ◽

Jenna M Perry ◽

Elizabeth A Reynolds Losin

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Pain Treatment ◽

The United States ◽

Ethnic Discrimination ◽

Medical Procedure ◽

Black African ◽

Clinical Interactions ◽

Racial Ethnic ◽

Hispanic White ◽

White Patients

Abstract Objective Racial and ethnic minorities in the United States report higher levels of both clinical and experimental pain, yet frequently receive inadequate pain treatment. Although these disparities are well documented, their underlying causes remain largely unknown. Evidence from social psychological and health disparities research suggests that clinician–patient racial/ethnic concordance may improve minority patient health outcomes. Yet whether clinician–patient racial/ethnic concordance influences pain remains poorly understood. Methods Medical trainees and community members/undergraduates played the role of “clinicians” and “patients,” respectively, in simulated clinical interactions. All participants identified as non-Hispanic Black/African American, Hispanic white, or non-Hispanic white. Interactions were randomized to be either racially/ethnically concordant or discordant in a 3 (clinician race/ethnicity) × 2 (clinician–patient racial/ethnic concordance) factorial design. Clinicians took the medical history and vital signs of the patient and administered an analogue of a painful medical procedure. Results As predicted, clinician–patient racial/ethnic concordance reduced self-reported and physiological indicators of pain for non-Hispanic Black/African American patients and did not influence pain for non-Hispanic white patients. Contrary to our prediction, concordance was associated with increased pain report in Hispanic white patients. Finally, the influence of concordance on pain-induced physiological arousal was largest for patients who reported prior experience with or current worry about racial/ethnic discrimination. Conclusions Our findings inform our understanding of the sociocultural factors that influence pain within medical contexts and suggest that increasing minority, particularly non-Hispanic Black/African American, physician numbers may help reduce persistent racial/ethnic pain disparities.

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Trends in sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among California children

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980020001147 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (16) ◽

pp. 2864-2869 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Amy L Beck ◽

Suzanna Martinez ◽

Anisha I Patel ◽

Alicia Fernandez

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Ethnic Disparities ◽

Health Behaviours ◽

Population Level ◽

California Health Interview Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sugar Sweetened Beverage ◽

Sweetened Beverage ◽

Sports Drinks ◽

Racial Ethnic

AbstractObjective:To assess trends in consumption of soda, sweetened fruit drinks/sports drinks and any sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) from 2013 to 2016 among all children in California aged 2–5 and 6–11 years and by racial-ethnic group.Design:Serial cross-sectional study using the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS).Setting:CHIS is a telephone survey of households in California designed to assess population-level estimates of key health behaviours. Previous research using CHIS documented a decrease in SSB consumption among children in California from 2003 to 2009 coinciding with state-level policy efforts targeting child SSB consumption.Participants:Parents of children in California aged 2–11 years (n 4901 in 2013–2014; n 3606 in 2015–2016) were surveyed about the child’s consumption of soda and sweetened fruit drinks/sports drinks on the day prior.Results:Among 2–5-year-olds, consumption of soda, sweetened fruit drinks/sports drinks and any SSB remained stable. Sweetened fruit drink/sports drink consumption was higher than soda consumption in this age group. Latino 2–5- year-olds were more likely to consume any SSB in both 2013–2014 and 2015–2016 compared with Whites. Among 6–11-year-olds, consumption of soda, sweetened fruit drinks/sports drinks and any SSB also remained stable over time. Latino and African-American 6–11-year-olds were more likely to consume an SSB in 2013–2014 compared with White children.Conclusions:SSB consumption among children in California was unchanged from 2013 to 2016 and racial-ethnic disparities were evident. Increased policy efforts are needed to further reduce SSB consumption, particularly among children of Latino and African-American backgrounds.

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Disparities in Telemedicine Access: A Cross-Sectional Study of a Newly Established Infrastructure during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Applied Clinical Informatics ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1730026 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (03) ◽

pp. 445-458

Author(s):

Vivian Hsiao ◽

Thevaa Chandereng ◽

Robin L. Lankton ◽

Jeffrey A. Huebner ◽

Jeffrey J. Baltus ◽

...

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Health Care Access ◽

Digital Literacy ◽

Geographic Region ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Primary Study ◽

Patient Portal ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Black African ◽

African American Race

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic led to dramatic increases in telemedicine use to provide outpatient care without in-person contact risks. Telemedicine increases options for health care access, but a “digital divide” of disparate access may prevent certain populations from realizing the benefits of telemedicine. Objectives The study aimed to understand telemedicine utilization patterns after a widespread deployment to identify potential disparities exacerbated by expanded telemedicine usage. Methods We performed a cross-sectional retrospective analysis of adults who scheduled outpatient visits between June 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020 at a single-integrated academic health system encompassing a broad range of subspecialties and a large geographic region in the Upper Midwest, during a period of time after the initial surge of COVID-19 when most standard clinical services had resumed. At the beginning of this study period, approximately 72% of provider visits were telemedicine visits. The primary study outcome was whether a patient had one or more video-based visits, compared with audio-only (telephone) visits or in-person visits only. The secondary outcome was whether a patient had any telemedicine visits (video-based or audio-only), compared with in-person visits only. Results A total of 197,076 individuals were eligible (average age = 46 years, 56% females). Increasing age, rural status, Asian or Black/African American race, Hispanic ethnicity, and self-pay/uninsured status were significantly negatively associated with having a video visit. Digital literacy, measured by patient portal activation status, was significantly positively associated with having a video visit, as were Medicaid or Medicare as payer and American Indian/Alaskan Native race. Conclusion Our findings reinforce previous evidence that older age, rural status, lower socioeconomic status, Asian race, Black/African American race, and Hispanic/Latino ethnicity are associated with lower rates of video-based telemedicine use. Health systems and policies should seek to mitigate such barriers to telemedicine when possible, with efforts such as digital literacy outreach and equitable distribution of telemedicine infrastructure.

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Youth Audience Segmentation Strategies for Smoking-Prevention Mass Media Campaigns Based on Message Appeal

Health Education & Behavior ◽

10.1177/1090198106294649 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 578-593 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Brian S. Flynn ◽

John K. Worden ◽

Janice Yanushka Bunn ◽

Anne L. Dorwaldt ◽

Scott W. Connolly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Mass Media ◽

African American Youth ◽

African American Adolescents ◽

Smoking Prevention ◽

Audience Segmentation ◽

Media Campaigns ◽

Prevention Messages ◽

Racial Ethnic ◽

Media Interventions

Mass media interventions are among the strategies recommended for youth cigarette smoking prevention, but little is known about optimal methods for reaching diverse youth audiences. Grades 4 through 12 samples of youth from four states ( n = 1,230) rated smoking-prevention messages in classroom settings. Similar proportions of African American, Hispanic, and White youth participated. Impact of audience characteristics on message appeal ratings was assessed to provide guidance for audience segmentation strategies. Age had a strong effect on individual message appeal. The effect of gender also was significant. Message ratings were similar among the younger racial/ethnic groups, but differences were found for older African American youth. Lower academic achievement was associated with lower appeal scores for some messages. Age should be a primary consideration in developing and delivering smoking-prevention messages to youth audiences. The unique needs of boys and girls and older African American adolescents should also be considered.

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