Polyvictimization, income, and ethnic differences in trauma-related mental health during adolescence

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of the present study was to investigate ethnic differences in trauma-related mental health symptoms among adolescents, and test the mediating and moderating effects of polyvictimization (i.e., number of types of traumas/victimizations experienced by an individual) and household income, respectively. Methods Data were drawn from the first wave of the National Survey of Adolescents replication study (NSA-R), which took place in the U.S. in 2005 and utilized random digit dialing to administer a telephone survey to adolescents ages 12-17. Participants included in the current analyses were the 3,312 adolescents (50.2% female; Mean age = 14.67 years) from the original sample of 3,614 who identified as non-Hispanic White (n = 2,346, 70.8%), non-Hispanic Black (n = 557, 16.8%), or Hispanic (n = 409, 12.3%). Structural equation modeling was utilized to test hypothesized models. Results Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic participants reported higher levels of polyvictimization and trauma-related mental health symptoms (symptoms of posttraumatic stress and depression) compared to non-Hispanic Whites, though the effect sizes were small (γ ≤ .07). Polyvictimization fully accounted for the differences in mental health symptoms between non-Hispanic Blacks and non-Hispanic Whites, and partially accounted for the differences between Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites. The relation between polyvictimization and trauma-related mental health symptoms was higher for low-income youth than for high-income youth. Conclusions Disparities in trauma exposure largely accounted for racial/ethnic disparities in trauma-related mental health. Children from low-income family environments appear to be at greater risk of negative mental health outcomes following trauma exposure compared to adolescents from high-income families.

Victimization and traumatic stress: Pathways to depressive symptoms among low-income, African-American girls

“…It should be noted, however that our sample represents a particularly vulnerable population, beyond community samples, in that all girls were seeking mental health services. Furthermore, our focus on low-income youth is supported by literature showing that the effect of victimization on depressive outcomes is higher among low-income youth relative to high-income youth (Andrews et al, 2015). Third, our study relied on girls’ reports of their own symptoms and stressors, which may have resulted in informant bias.…”

“…In the second stage, separate structural equation path models were tested to examine relationships between each of our chronic stress variables (frequency, severity, and duration) and the latent depressive symptoms constructs at each time point. Cross-lagged models (Andrews et al, 2015) were tested, with paths from depression at each time point to both subsequent depression and subsequent victimization, and from victimization at each time point to both victimization and depression at subsequent time points (see Figure 2). …”

Exploring Racial Disparities in Mental Health Diagnoses and Neighborhood Disorganization Among an Urban Cohort of Children and Adolescents with Chronic Medical Conditions

“…4 Compared with White children, racial/ethnic minorities are disproportionately exposed to adverse factors (e.g., stress, trauma, pollution, maltreatment, poor housing, and violence). 1,[5][6][7] Mental health disparities are also driven by health system-and providerlevel differences in access to care, quality of care, and provider bias. 8 Multiple studies have documented that White children have significantly higher psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment rates compared with their minority counterparts.…”

Child Attributions Mediate Relationships Between Violence Exposure and Trauma Symptomology

“…Elevated rates of externalizing problems (anger, aggression and violence) and internalizing problems (anxiety, depression, and intrusive thoughts) are likewise found in youth who are exposed (Kelly, 2010;Salzinger et al, 2010). The deleterious impact of violence exposure on psychological symptoms is particularly pronounced among youth who are impoverished and are racial/ethnic minorities (Andrews et al, 2015).…”