Racial discrimination, depressive symptoms, and parenting in African American families

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveThe goal was to examine direct and indirect associations between racial discrimination and parenting among African American mothers and fathers.BackgroundExperiences of racial discrimination are common among African Americans, with well‐documented effects on individual functioning. Greater attention to associations between racial discrimination and family functioning, including parenting, is needed, as are tests of whether these associations might arise indirectly through depressive symptoms.MethodData from 346 African American families were used to examine correlations between racial discrimination and nurturant involved parenting, consistent discipline, and educational involvement among mothers and fathers, and to examine indirect effect models testing linkages through depressive symptoms.ResultsThere was minimal evidence of significant direct (bivariate) associations between racial discrimination and parenting. There were, however, significant negative indirect effects from racial discrimination to nurturant involved parenting and to consistent discipline through depressive symptoms for mothers and fathers.ConclusionHigher levels of racial discrimination were associated with lower levels of nurturant involved parenting and consistent discipline through higher depressive symptoms.ImplicationsConceptual models describing the effects of racial discrimination on families should integrate indirect effects through individual functioning. Interventions focused on supporting African American parents should address the harmful effects of racial discrimination on individual and family well‐being.