Ethnoracial Differences in Social Determinants of Health and Acute Mental Health Symptoms Among Adults Hospitalized After Emergency Care

Abstract

Abstract: Research has established relationships between social determinants of health (SDOH) and mental health, with mixed findings on which ethnoracial groups are most vulnerable to deleterious outcomes. The current study examines ethnoracial differences in SDOH and their associations with acute mental health symptoms among patients hospitalized after emergency care. Using data collected in a multi-site study of 1,318 diverse adults admitted to inpatient units, we performed analyses using linear regression models. Findings show that Multiracial/Indigenous and Black adults had significantly higher discrimination and financial stress scores. However, compared with White adults, the positive association between extreme discrimination and acute mental health symptoms was diminished among Latinx (B=–2.3; p=.02) and Black individuals (B=–1.6; p=.05) as was the positive association between financial insecurity and acute mental health symptoms for Black adults (B=–2.3; p=.04). This study provides evidence of differential experiences of SDOH and mental health challenges that may warrant tailored interventions.