Utilizing Latent Class Analyses to Examine the Link Between Black Emerging Adults’ Intersectional Discrimination Experiences and Mental Health

Abstract

Addressing mental health disparities within Black communities requires a critical investigation of distinct minority-related stressors, such as discrimination. In the present study, we situate multiple forms of discrimination within an intersectionality framework to assess distinct patterns of intersectional discrimination and their impact on Black emerging adults’ mental health. The current study included a sample of 908 Black emerging adults (M_age = 22.32; 54% women), who reported experiencing discrimination in their lifetime. Latent class analyses revealed five distinct patterns of discrimination, which included racial, other, and three classes of distinct intersectional discrimination experiences. Emerging adults in the intersectional discrimination classes, Complex and Diffused Discrimination (i.e., experienced all forms of discrimination), Gendered-Racial Discrimination, and Race x Nationality x Age Discrimination, had higher rates of anxiety, depression, and both anxiety and depression compared to those in the other two discrimination classes (i.e., racial, other). Implications of findings and future directions are discussed.