Review of 2015 study on racism and mental health

Title

Mental Health impacts of racial discrimination in Australian culturally and linguistically diverse communities: a cross-sectional survey

Authors

Angeline S Ferdinand

Yin Paradies

Margaret Kelaher

Published

2015

What they did

Surveyed 1139 Australians 18 years and older who lived within 2 rural and 2 metropolitan localities in Victoria. The localities were selected as they had a high level of racial and ethnic diversity.

They completed the Experiences of Racism survey - which asked to mark what forms of racism they encountered and in what location. Mental health was then assessed using the Kessler 6 (K6) Scale.

Surveys were distributed through community workers personal and professional contacts as well as through local community events and functions.

What they found

Nearly two thirds of participants reported at least one discriminatory experience in the preceding twelve months

55% of participants reported being a target of racists names, jokes, teasing or hearing comments that rely on stereotypes of the participants racial, ethnic, cultural or religious group

The most common response to these experiences was ignore/pretend it didn’t happen (45%) or accept it as a fact of life/put up with it (27%).

People living in metropolitan areas were more likely to experience discrimination. University educated people were more likely to report higher levels of experiencing racial discrimination

More frequent experiences of racial discrimination were related to increased psychological distress (a higher K6 score). The type of discrimination did not effect K6 as much as the location of discrimination. Experiencing discrimination in shops and in employment and government settings was significantly associated with being above the threshold for high or very high psychological distress on the K6.

Questions raised

This study does not demonstrate causality, it demonstrates association. More experiences of racism are associated with higher psychological distress, exactly how these factors are associated is not demonstrated by this study.

Some experiences of discrimination directly impact on physical and mental health (physical assault/threats of physical assault), while others can impact on access to services and resources (experiences of discrimination in government settings and in employment). In addition, verbal abuse can impact on self image and who individuals engage with services and support structures. In reality there is likely to be a combination of factors.

Questions still remain on how to get rid of racism all together, however we do know how to support those that are experiencing it.

What it means

Racism in Australia is real; being employed, university educated or living in a metropolitan city with a more diverse community does not negate the presence of racism.

Increased experience of racism effects mental health, especially if experience in the workplace or in government organisations.

Often racism is subtle and victims are left feeling unsure of what they have actually experienced. This self doubt and uncertainty can limit how people engage with services, employment opportunities and education. Book an appointment with Dr. Kay (a mental health gp who has personal and professional experience with racism in Australia) to debrief and put together a strategy for managing your mental health despite how others around you may treat you.