Objective

Despite evidence linking experiences of racial discrimination by Black parents and problem behaviors in youth, little is known about the mechanisms that explain this link. To elucidate these developmental pathways, a serial mediation model was tested, in which Black parents’ experiences of racial discrimination were hypothesized to predict increased parental depression and parent–child conflict in early adolescence, which in turn would be associated with youth depression, anxiety, and conduct problems in early to mid-adolescence.

Method

Participants were 252 Black parent–child dyads. Youth (56% female) were on average 11.98 years old at study entry (wave 1). Parents and youth completed questionnaires during a home-based assessment at wave 1 and were assessed again 1 and 2 years later (waves 2 and 3).

Results

Black parents’ experiences of racial discrimination at wave 1 were linked to higher levels of parent–child conflict at wave 2 (0.20; 95% CI [0.05, 0.33]), which in turn predicted greater youth-reported depression at wave 3 (0.30; 95% CI [0.15, 0.47]). There was a significant indirect effect of racial discrimination on youth-reported depression via parent–child conflict (indirect effect: 0.06, 95% CI [0.02, 0.10]). Findings were replicated across multiple outcomes (ie, depression, anxiety, conduct problems) and multiple informants (ie, youth report, parent report). There was no evidence to support a serial mediation model via parental depression and then parent–child conflict.

Conclusion

This study identified a developmental pathway from Black parents’ experiences of racial discrimination to adolescent problem behaviors via parent–child conflict. Findings may inform interventions aimed at promoting resilience in parents and youth faced with pervasive racism.

Clinical trial registration information

Substance Use Screening and Prevention for Adolescents in Pediatric Primary Care (SKY); https://clinicaltrials.gov/; NCT03074877.

中文翻译：

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黑人父母所经历的种族歧视：对青少年的持久心理健康后果

客观的

尽管有证据表明黑人父母的种族歧视经历与青少年的问题行为有关，但人们对解释这种联系的机制知之甚少。为了阐明这些发展途径，我们测试了一个系列中介模型，其中假设黑人父母的种族歧视经历可以预测青春期早期父母抑郁和亲子冲突的增加，这反过来又与青少年抑郁、焦虑、并在青春期早期到中期处理问题。

方法

参与者是 252 名黑人亲子对。青少年（56% 为女性）在研究开始时（第 1 波）的平均年龄为 11.98 岁。父母和青少年在第 1 波家庭评估期间完成了问卷调查，并在 1 年和 2 年后再次进行评估（第 2 波和第 3 波）。

结果

黑人父母在第 1 波中的种族歧视经历与第 2 波中较高水平的亲子冲突有关（0.20；95% CI [0.05, 0.33]），这反过来又预示着第 3 波中青少年报告的抑郁程度更高（0.30 ; 95% CI [0.15, 0.47])。种族歧视通过亲子冲突对青少年报告的抑郁症有显着的间接影响（间接影响：0.06, 95% CI [0.02, 0.10]）。调查结果在多个结果（即抑郁、焦虑、行为问题）和多个信息提供者（即青少年报告、家长报告）中重复。没有证据支持通过父母抑郁然后是亲子冲突的串行调解模型。

结论

本研究通过亲子冲突确定了从黑人父母的种族歧视经历到青少年问题行为的发展途径。调查结果可能会为旨在提高面临普遍种族主义的父母和青少年的复原力的干预措施提供信息。

临床试验注册信息

儿科初级保健 (SKY) 中青少年的物质使用筛查和预防；https://clinicaltrials.gov/；NCT03074877。