The effects of ethnic/racial discrimination and sleep quality on depressive symptoms and self-esteem trajectories among diverse adolescents

J Youth Adolesc. 2015 Feb;44(2):419-30. doi: 10.1007/s10964-014-0123-x. Epub 2014 Mar 30.

Abstract

Ethnic/racial discrimination has persistent negative implications for both physical and mental health. The current study employs a risk and resilience framework to explore the joint effects of ethnic/racial discrimination and sleep disturbance on psychosocial outcomes among adolescents. In a sample of 146 minority and White adolescents (70% female), changes in depressive symptoms, anxiety, and self-esteem over 3 years are explored using growth curve models. Regardless of ethnic background, adolescents reporting high levels of ethnic/racial discrimination and poor sleep also reported a corresponding increase in depressive symptoms and lower levels of self-esteem over time. Adolescents reporting all other combinations of sleep quality and ethnic/racial discrimination reported more positive adjustment over time. The joint effects of sleep and ethnic/racial discrimination on adolescent psychosocial development are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Development
  • Anxiety / ethnology
  • Anxiety / etiology
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Depression / ethnology
  • Depression / etiology*
  • Depression / psychology
  • Ethnicity / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Models, Psychological
  • Models, Statistical
  • New York City / epidemiology
  • Racism / ethnology
  • Racism / psychology*
  • Resilience, Psychological
  • Risk Factors
  • Self Concept*
  • Sleep Deprivation / ethnology
  • Sleep Deprivation / psychology*
  • Social Adjustment
  • White People / psychology*