Estimating School Race/Ethnic Enrollment Effects on Student Mental Health: Density and Diversity as a Risk or Protective Factor

Objective: To investigate effects of school race/ethnic enrollment on mental health in early adolescence by examining both race/ ethnic density (percent non-Latinx [NL] White enrollment) and diversity (range/size of all race/ethnic groups enrolled). Variation by student race/ethnic identity is examined as minority stressors are uniquely experienced by race/ethnic minority students.Design: Longitudinal cohort from a broader mental health study.Setting: Fourteen schools in Texas (2011- 2015).Participants: Sixth-grade participants (mean age 11.5 years) linked to publicly available data about their school (N=389).Methods: Generalized estimating equations tested main effects of density/diversity on depressive-anxious symptoms across student-reported race/ethnic identity, adjusting for student/school factors. Owing to statistically significant Latinx-group differences by acculturative stress, four unique identities were generated: NL-Black, low-stress Latinx, high-stress Latinx, and NL-White—referent. Points of convergence of student mental health profiles across density/diversity were explored.Main Outcome Measures: Self-reported depressive-anxious symptoms over a two-year period.Results: A significant interaction between density and student race/ethnicity was found (P<.01), with NL-Black and low-stress Latinx vs NL-White students experiencing higher symptoms over the two-year period, net of covariates. In contrast, greater diversity was associated with higher symptoms, net of controls (P<.05). A marginally significant interaction (P=.06) revealed fewer symptoms for high-stress Latinx vs NL-White students. At about 25%, NL-White density and diversity of .5-.6, all students experienced similar mental health profiles.Conclusions: Greater NL-White density increases mental health risk for NL-Black and low-stress Latinx students, while school diversity lowers risk for high-stress Latinx students. These findings demonstrate how educational settings may produce or lessen minority stress.Ethn Dis. 2021;31(2):205- 216; doi:10.18865/ed.31.2.205

Download Full-text

Suicidal ideation in an ethnically mixed, highland Guatemalan community

Transcultural Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/1363461520976930 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 136346152097693

Author(s):

Carla Pezzia ◽

Luisa M. Hernandez

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Ethnic Identity ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Mental Health Care ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Indigenous Populations ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

And Gender ◽

Survey Responses

Reported suicide rates in Latin America remain low, but there is evidence to suggest they may be increasing, particularly among indigenous populations. To better understand who may be at risk for suicide, we examined the prevalence of suicidal ideation and explored factors contributing to suicidal thoughts in an ethnically mixed, highland Guatemalan community. The data presented in this article are from a mixed methods ethnographic field project conducted over 15 months from 2010 to 2011 in Panajachel, Guatemala. We surveyed a random sample of 350 community members. Survey questions included standardized modules from the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, as well as questions on experiences of violence and mental health care. We also conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 self-selected survey participants with current suicidal ideation. These interviews included questions regarding survey responses, experiences of mental illness, and access to mental health care. A total of 55 survey participants (N = 350; 15.7%) scored positive for suicidality. Ethnic identity, gender, psychiatric illness, and experiences of violence were all correlated to suicidal ideation. Qualitative interview data highlight distinctions between genders within prominent themes of religion, family, experiences of violence, and seeking resources. Three key findings emerged from our research that are relevant to the literature: 1) ethnic identity may be both a critical risk and a protective factor for suicide in some indigenous people; 2) intersections between violence and gender highlight different patterns in suicidal ideation; and 3) high rates of suicidal ideation and other psychiatric comorbidities underscore the need for greater access to mental health services.

Download Full-text

The impact of social context on the acculturative process: acculturative stress in Latin American immigrants

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(11)72181-2 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 26 (S2) ◽

pp. 474-474 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

H.-W. Revollo ◽

A. Qureshi ◽

F. Collazos ◽

M. Casas

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Context ◽

Latin American ◽

Acculturative Stress ◽

Well Being ◽

Socioeconomic Level ◽

Ethnic Density ◽

General Stress ◽

Latin American Immigrants ◽

The Impact

IntroductionThe relationship between immigration and mental health may in part be affected by factors related to social context in general and in relation to specific ethnic groups in specific social contexts. A growing body of research is exploring the impact of neighborhood context on the well-being of immigrants. The specifics, however, have yet to be identified.AimTo analyze the impact of social context on stress and acculturative stress in a hospitalised Latin American immigrant sample.MethodsThe study was part of a larger project concerning stress, coping, and psychosocial well being in Latin American immigrants hospitalised in both internal medicine and obstetrics in a large public hospital in Barcelona (Spain). 290 participants were evaluated with the PSS-10 for general stress, the BISS for acculturative stress and a sociodemographic questionnaire elaborated ad hoc for social context.ResultsNeighborhood socioeconomic level is related to general stress and acculturative stress. A lower socioeconomic level is associated with higher levels of stress and acculturative stress. High levels of ethnic density of Latin American immigrants is moderately associated with lower levels of homesickenss and intercultural contact stress, but are not related with perceived discrimination.ConclusionsSocial context is an important factor that should be considered in the acculturative process of Latin American immigrants and its impact on their mental health status. A low socioeconomic neighborhood level increases levels of stress and acculturative stress, increasing the risk of psychosocial distress.Own group ethnic density would appear to function as a protective factor.

Download Full-text