Family Disadvantage, Education, and Health Outcomes Among Black Youths
Mar 29, 2024
auto_awesome
Edith Chen discusses the impact of family disadvantage on health and education outcomes for Black youths over a 20-year period. Topics include skin-deep resilience, immune response, mental and physical health disparities, and challenges faced by disadvantaged youth in achieving success. The podcast emphasizes the importance of holistic interventions for overall well-being.
Upward mobility impacts mental health positively but can lead to negative physical health outcomes, especially for those who grew up in financial hardship.
Black youths with a bachelor's degree had improved mental health, but the impact on their physical health outcomes varied based on their level of financial hardship during adolescence.
Deep dives
Effects of Upward Mobility on Mental and Physical Health Outcomes
The study delves into the impact of upward mobility on mental and physical health outcomes among black youth. While upward mobility is commonly associated with positive mental health outcomes, it can sometimes lead to poor physical health outcomes, particularly among individuals who grew up under financial hardship. This phenomenon, termed skin-deep resilience, highlights the trade-off that may exist when overcoming adversities like financial hardship, with potential negative impacts on physical health.
Longitudinal Investigation and Health Measures
The research conducted a longitudinal study tracking mental and physical health outcomes over a 20-year period among black youth. It focused on educational attainment as a measure of upward mobility and assessed various health outcomes including mental health indicators like anxiety and depression, substance use, metabolic syndrome, and pro-inflammatory phenotype. By studying adolescents, the aim was to identify precursors to chronic diseases before they manifest.
Findings and Implications for Intervention and Policy
The study findings revealed that black youth attaining a bachelor's degree exhibited fewer mental health issues and substance use problems. However, the impact on physical health outcomes differed based on the level of financial hardship during adolescence. For those without financial hardship, a bachelor's degree was associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome, while for those facing financial challenges, attaining a degree increased the risk of metabolic syndrome. The research underscores the importance of understanding the emergence of skin-deep resilience in youth and developing interventions that consider various life domains to promote holistic well-being.
Interview with Edith Chen, PhD, author of Family Disadvantage, Education, and Health Outcomes Among Black Youths Over a 20-Year Period. Hosted by JAMA Associate Editor Angel N. Desai, MD, MPH. Related Content: