Hans Oh1, Louis Jacob2, Deidre M Anglin3, Ai Koyanagi4. 1. University of Southern California, Suzanne Dworak Peck School of Social Work, 1149 Hill St Suite #1422, Los Angeles, CA 90015, United States of America. Electronic address: hansoh@usc.edu. 2. Faculty of Medicine, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Montigny-le-Bretonneux 78180, France; Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. 3. Department of Psychology, The City College of New York, Graduate Center of CUNY, 160 Convent Avenue, North Academic Center, New York, NY 10031, United States of America. 4. Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; ICREA, Pg. Lluis Companys 23, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Black Americans face significant discrimination, which has been linked to risk for psychotic experiences. However, fewer studies have examined whether perceived skin tone discrimination is associated with psychotic experiences. METHODS: Drawing data from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL), we used multivariable logistic regression to examine the associations between perceived skin tone discrimination (from Blacks and Whites) and psychotic experiences, adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, common mental disorders, and major discriminatory events. RESULTS: In bivariate regression models, a one-unit increase in frequency of perceived skin tone discrimination from Blacks was associated with a 24% increase in odds of having any lifetime psychotic experience (AOR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.11-1.38). A one-unit increase in frequency of perceived skin tone discrimination from Whites was associated with an 18% increase in odds of having any lifetime psychotic experience (AOR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.03-1.34). When examining perceived skin tone discrimination from Blacks and Whites in the same models, only perceived skin tone discrimination from Blacks was significantly associated with lifetime psychotic experiences, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, common metal disorders, and major discriminatory events. Perceived skin tone discrimination was associated with lifetime hallucinatory experiences, but not lifetime delusional ideation. CONCLUSION: A significant portion of the Black population reported skin tone discrimination from Blacks and Whites, which is related to lifetime psychotic experiences. Future longitudinal and qualitative studies can elaborate on these findings and further contextualize skin tone discrimination and its health effects.
BACKGROUND: Black Americans face significant discrimination, which has been linked to risk for psychotic experiences. However, fewer studies have examined whether perceived skin tone discrimination is associated with psychotic experiences. METHODS: Drawing data from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL), we used multivariable logistic regression to examine the associations between perceived skin tone discrimination (from Blacks and Whites) and psychotic experiences, adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, common mental disorders, and major discriminatory events. RESULTS: In bivariate regression models, a one-unit increase in frequency of perceived skin tone discrimination from Blacks was associated with a 24% increase in odds of having any lifetime psychotic experience (AOR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.11-1.38). A one-unit increase in frequency of perceived skin tone discrimination from Whites was associated with an 18% increase in odds of having any lifetime psychotic experience (AOR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.03-1.34). When examining perceived skin tone discrimination from Blacks and Whites in the same models, only perceived skin tone discrimination from Blacks was significantly associated with lifetime psychotic experiences, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, common metal disorders, and major discriminatory events. Perceived skin tone discrimination was associated with lifetime hallucinatory experiences, but not lifetime delusional ideation. CONCLUSION: A significant portion of the Black population reported skin tone discrimination from Blacks and Whites, which is related to lifetime psychotic experiences. Future longitudinal and qualitative studies can elaborate on these findings and further contextualize skin tone discrimination and its health effects.
Authors: Kim T Mueser; David L Penn; Arundati Nagendra; David M Weiss; Carrington Merritt; Corinne Cather; Effua E Sosoo Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2022-08-06 Impact factor: 4.519