Abstract
ObjectivesThis study investigates the protective role of ethnic-racial identity (ERI) affirmation on the longitudinal association between racism and Aboriginal Australian children’s social and emotional well-being (SEWB).Methods408 children from the K-Cohort of the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children were included in the analysis. Data were collected through questionnaire-guided interviews at 7–10 and 9–12 years of age. Children’s racism experience, SEWB (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), and confounding were reported by caregivers. ERI was reported by children and dichotomized into high versus low. Generalized linear models with log-Poisson links and robust errors were used to estimate adjusted Risk Ratios (RRa) for the effect of racism on SEWB domains. Effect-measure modification analysis was used to verify differences on effect sizes per strata of ERI affirmation. The presence of modification was indicated by the Relative Excess Risk due to Interaction (RERI).ResultsSlightly above half (51.4%) of the children presented high ERI affirmation. Children exposed to racism and with low ERI affirmation were at increased risk of hyperactive behavior (RRa 2.53, 95% CI 1.17, 5.48), conduct problems (RRa 2.35, 95% CI 1.07, 5.15), and total difficulties (RRa 1.73, 95% CI 0.84, 3.55). Positive RERIs indicated the joint effects of racism and low ERI affirmation surpassed the sum of their separate effects in these domains. Children with high ERI affirmation were at increased risk of peer problems (RRa 1.66, 95% CI 0.78, 3.52).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that ERI may mitigate the risk of poor SEWB due to racism. Fostering affirmative ERI can be an important strategy in promoting resilience in Aboriginal Australian children.
Highlights
Racism can be defined as a system of practices, attitudes and beliefs that assumes the inferiority of certain ethnic-racial groups in relation to others which are considered superior, sustaining an unequal and avoidable distribution of resources based on ethnic-racial membership [1, 2]
These findings suggest that ethnic-racial identity (ERI) may mitigate the risk of poor social and emotional well-being (SEWB) due to racism
Fostering affirmative ERI can be an important strategy in promoting resilience in Aboriginal Australian children
Summary
Racism can be defined as a system of practices, attitudes and beliefs that assumes the inferiority of certain ethnic-racial groups in relation to others which are considered superior, sustaining an unequal and avoidable distribution of resources based on ethnic-racial membership [1, 2]. The maintenance of oppression occurs structurally (differences in education, income, health, and political representation), interpersonally (direct experiences of race-based discrimination), and individually (internalization of societal messages of inferiority by ethnic-racial minorities or superiority by ethnic-racial majorities) [1, 2]. Experiences of interpersonal race-based discrimination are reported by Aboriginal Australians across the lifespan, starting from childhood [6] and continuing through to older years [7]. Among children racism is shown to be associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression, aggression, conduct problems, social and emotional difficulties, and lower levels of self-esteem, psychological well-being, and quality of life [9]. Research with Aboriginal Australian children and youth shows similar associations, with racism being linked to depressive symptoms, emotional and behavioral difficulties, and poor overall mental health [3]
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