title: Perceived racial/ethnic discrimination, problem behaviors, and mental health among minority urban youth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined perceived frequency and intensity of racial/ethnic discrimination and associations with high-risk behaviors/conditions among adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  With surveys from 2490 racial/ethnic minority adolescents primarily with low socioeconomic status, we used regression analysis to examine associations between racial/ethnic discrimination and behavioral health outcomes (alcohol use, marijuana use, physical aggression, delinquency, victimization, depression, suicidal ideation, and sexual behaviors).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most adolescents (73%) experienced racial/ethnic discrimination and 42% of experiences were 'somewhat-' or 'very disturbing.' Adolescents reporting frequent and disturbing racial/ethnic discrimination were at increased risk of all measured behaviors, except alcohol and marijuana use. Adolescents who experienced any racial/ethnic discrimination were at increased risk for victimization and depression. Regardless of intensity, adolescents who experienced racial/ethnic discrimination at least occasionally were more likely to report greater physical aggression, delinquency, suicidal ideation, younger age at first oral sex, unprotected sex during last intercourse, and more lifetime sexual partners.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most adolescents had experienced racial/ethnic discrimination due to their race/ethnicity. Even occasional experiences of racial/ethnic discrimination likely contribute to maladaptive behavioral and mental health outcomes among adolescents. Prevention and coping strategies are important targets for intervention.
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, Department of Health Outcomes and Policy, Institute for Child Health Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. amytobler@ufl.edu
authors.forename: Amy L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Tobler
authors.forename: Mildred M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Maldonado-Molina
authors.forename: Stephanie A S
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Staras
authors.forename: Ryan J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: O'Mara
authors.forename: Melvin D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Livingston
authors.forename: Kelli A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Komro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D001741:Black or African American; D000374:Aggression; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006306:Health Surveys; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology*; D011203:Poverty; D063505:Racism / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D014481:United States / Q000208:ethnology; D044465:White People