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Citation
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Harris R, Li C, Stanley J, King PT, Priest N, Curtis E, Ameratunga S, Sorensen D, Tibble F, Tewhaiti-Smith J, Thatcher P, Araroa R, Pihema S, Lee-Kirk S, King SJR, Urlich T, Livingstone NZ, Kamau Brady S, Matehe C, Paine SJ. J. Adolesc. Health 2024; ePub(ePub): ePub. |
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Abstract
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PURPOSE: This Aotearoa New Zealand-based study addresses a gap in literature focusing on individual experiences of racism among adolescents and young adults and its links to health.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study uses data from multiple instances of the New Zealand Health Survey (2002/03, 2006/07, 2011/12, 2016/17) and General Social Survey (2008-2016) restricted to participants aged 15-24 years. Prevalence of reported experiences of racism are estimated. Meta-analytic techniques to pool data and multiple regression analyses are used to examine associations between experiences of racism and outcomes measures (mental and physical health, general health and well-being, life satisfaction, inability to access health care, and identity). The study used an ethical co-design process between university researchers and a rangatahi Māori (Māori young people) partnership group.
RESULTS: Racism was higher among Māori, Pacific, and Asian young people compared to European young people. Racism was associated with all negative health and well-being measures examined for young people, including negative mental and physical health measures (12-Item Short Form Survey, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale), lower self-rated health, negative life satisfaction, higher unmet need for primary care, and identity measures (feelings of not belonging in New Zealand, less able to express their identity).
DISCUSSION: The results of this study are concerning. Non-European young people disproportionately bear the burden of racism in Aotearoa New Zealand with a potentially substantial impact on their health and well-being. This is a breach of Indigenous (for Māori) and other international human rights and should be motivation to act to eliminate racism in all its forms.
Language: en |