White Youth Research Articles

Media as a Locus for Family Ethnic-Racial Socialization: U.S. Youth Report on Discussions and Mutual Mediation

ABSTRACT To examine the role of media in family discussions of race and ethnicity, we surveyed a U.S. sample of 834 Asian/Asian American, Black, Hispanic, Indigenous/Native American, and White 10- to 17-year-olds. Based on social relational theory, we conceived of media as a resource and locus for mutual influence, whereby parents and youth may mediate each other’s exposure to ethnic-racial depictions. Consistent with conceptions of race/ethnicity as vertical identities (shared by parent and child, socialized primarily by parents because of relevant, lived experience), youths overall reported that their parents (vs. they) engaged in more mediation. However, as hypothesized, older youths and those whose parents were adult immigrants reported more mutual mediation. Contrary to hypotheses, the direction of mediation did not vary based on whether parents and youth had the same ethnic-racial background. Notably, there was no single set of media-based socialization practices in families of color, distinct from White families. For example, Black youths reported more parental mediation than Asian/Asian American and Indigenous/Native American youths, and White and Hispanic youth fell in between. However, all minoritized ethnic-racial groups reported somewhat fewer positive media-based discussions of race and ethnicity than White youths.

The War on Drugs in Juvenile Court? The Influence of Community Context on Juvenile Court Outcomes for White, Black, and Hispanic Youth

Prior research on race/ethnicity and juvenile court processing have found that youth of color often receive disadvantaged outcomes compared to their White counterparts, and that community context may condition this relationship. The current study examined this association between race/ethnicity (White, Black, Hispanic) and type of drug offense (possession vs. distribution) with adjudication and disposition outcomes, especially the tempering effect of disadvantaged community characteristics. Results from multi-level models indicated that Black youth who were charged with a drug distribution offense were more likely to receive residential placement compared to similarly situated Whites. Underclass poverty and racial/ethnic inequality moderated these associations, but the significance and direction of the results differed depending on the stage examined. The findings reveal ongoing racial/ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system, and offer clearer insights into the conditions under which youth of color charged with different drug offenses are processed in juvenile court.

The structured assessment of violence risk in youth demonstrates measurement invariance between Black and White justice-referred youths.

Identification and implementation of effective methods for reducing racial/ethnic bias and disparities in legal settings are paramount in the United States and other countries. One procedure originally thought to reduce bias in legal decisions is the use of risk assessment instruments, which is now being heavily scrutinized. Measurement invariance, a latent trait technique, is a robust method for assessing one form of bias. Measurement invariance involves determining whether risk items in an instrument appear to be functioning the same between racial or other groups. Thus, the present study examined measurement invariance of the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY) between non-Latino Black and White youths to examine racial bias. We expected the SAVRY to be invariant (lacking measurement bias) between Black and White youths. The sample included 687 Black and 361 White youths, and the study used a large, multistate data set of SAVRYs conducted by probation officers. We conducted measurement invariance testing in a series of hierarchical steps including testing configural and scalar invariance. The SAVRY demonstrated scalar invariance (equal thresholds for ratings from "low" to "moderate" and "moderate" to "high") for all items except one-community disorganization. The findings lend further credibility to the SAVRY, and the structured professional judgment approach, as a method to assess violence risk and case planning needs among youths involved in the legal system. These findings provide more confidence that significant differences in SAVRY risk level or items between Black and White youths are not based in measurement bias, with the exception of the community disorganization item. Potential fixes discussed include eliminating or deemphasizing this item in final risk level ratings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

‘You're not supposed to be gay, you're black’: Analysing race and LGBTQ+ youth identity through an intersectional lens

AbstractIn this article, I build upon calls for an intersectional approach in sociocultural linguistic research – particularly in the context of language, gender and sexuality – which attends robustly to the question of race. Through the analysis of four moments of discourse between young LGBTQ+ people, I show how their queer positionality is informed and shaped by their experience as white or racialised youths. In doing so, I demonstrate the intra‐categorical nature of identity and the benefits of a ‘thick’ analytical approach which pays close attention to individual speakers’ positionalities. Furthermore, I argue for sociocultural linguistic research which honours the origins of intersectionality theory by accounting explicitly for the role of systemic racism and white privilege on speakers’ identity constructions.

Temporal trends in suicide ideation and attempt among youth in juvenile detention, 2016-2021.

Data from the general population of youth show increases in suicide ideation and attempt in recent years, with rates of increase differing across sex and racial/ethnic groups. This study assessed trends in suicide ideation and attempt from 2016 to 2021 in youth in juvenile detention, across sex, age, and racial/ethnic groups. We leveraged state-wide suicide screening data of all detained youth (n = 53,769) from 2016 to 2021. We analyzed data for periods defined by statistically significant changes in trends of lifetime suicide attempt, past 6-month suicide attempt, and current suicide ideation. The prevalence of lifetime, but not past six-month, attempts increased, whereas the prevalence of current suicide ideation decreased annually from 2016 to 2021. Overall trends were qualified by distinct patterns among subgroups: rates of lifetime attempt increased among male, adolescent, and Black youth, while rates of current ideation decreased among male, adolescent, and White and Hispanic youth. These data document increasing rates of lifetime suicide attempts in detained youth from 2016 to 2021, especially among male and Black adolescents, concomitant with decreasing rates of current suicide ideation. Suicide prevention approaches for detained youth may need to prioritize variables besides or in addition to suicide ideation.

Identifying Culturally Relevant School Support Profiles and Links to Academic Functioning in Adolescents.

There is limited knowledge about patterns of adolescents' experiences of general teacher support and support for critical consciousness and cultural competence development in school settings, which are key experiences proposed to promote academic functioning. Furthermore, less is known about potential developmental and ethnic-racial differences in these patterns. Using a person-centered approach, this study examined culturally relevant school support profiles in a sample of sixth and ninth grade students (N = 717; 49.9% girls) from the U.S. Southwest. Participants were aged 10 to 18 years (M = 13.73; SD = 1.54) and were ethnoracially diverse (31.8% Hispanic/Latinx, 31.5% Multiethnic, 25.7% White, 7.3% Black or African American, 1.4% Asian American or Pacific Islander, 1.4% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 1% Arab, Middle Eastern, or North African). Four culturally relevant school support profiles were identified: (1) low general, devoid cultural & critical support; (2) moderate general, moderate cultural, & devoid critical support; (3) high general, moderate cultural & critical support; and (4) high general, cultural, & critical support. Youth in the high general, cultural, & critical support profile had higher concurrent emotional and behavioral engagement. No significant differences were found between early (6th grade) and middle adolescent (9th grade) youth, pointing to the relevance and associations of the identified profiles across development. One significant difference emerged when comparing White and ethnoracially minoritized youth; among White youth, those in the high general, cultural, & critical support and high general, moderate cultural & critical support profiles had higher academic expectations than those in the low general, devoid cultural & critical support profile. The discussion focuses on characterizing heterogeneous and culturally relevant school support profiles, the associations between these profiles and indicators of academic functioning for ethnoracially diverse youth to advance developmental theory and the importance of promoting culturally relevant school support practices to foster developmental competencies among youth.

Intersectional disparities in access to mental health services among youth aging out of foster care

BackgroundYouth aging out of the child welfare system lack support in accessing needed mental health care, as do youth of color and LGBTQ ​+ ​youth in the general population. Similar disparities may exist among youth aging out of foster care who hold intersecting social identities. ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the presence of mental health care access disparities among youth aging out of foster care using an intersectional lens. Participantsand Setting: The current study was a cross-sectional, exploratory analysis of secondary data from the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative (JCYOI) dataset. The sample included 2650 youth aging out of care. MethodsThe current study utilized bivariate tests to explore the association between access to mental health care and key variables, a rate ratio to measure access disparities, and logistic regression to determine the main effect of identity on mental health care access. FindingsLower rates of mental health care access were found among youth of color compared to White youth and among LGBTQ ​+ ​youth compared to non-LGBTQ ​+ ​youth. Disparities increased when youth of color also identified as LGBTQ+, however identity was not a significant predictor of mental health care access when controlling for insurance coverage and other variables. ConclusionsDisparities in access to needed mental health care found in the general population are also present among youth aging out of foster care. These findings suggest the need for targeted efforts from practitioners to ensure equitable access to mental health care for transition aged youth.

Empathy, compassion, and connection should be central in suicide assessment with youth of color: Commentary on Molock et al. (2023).

Molock et al. (2023) offered an excellent scholarly review and critique of suicide assessment tools with youth of color. Although providing useful information, their article neglected essential relational components of suicide assessment, implied that contemporary suicide assessment practices are effective with White youth, and did not acknowledge the racist origins of acculturation. To improve the suicide assessment process, psychologists and other mental health providers should emphasize respect and empathy, show cultural humility, and seek to establish trust before expecting openness and honesty from youth of color. Additionally, the fact that suicide assessment with youth who identify as White is also generally unhelpful, makes emphasizing relationship and development of a working alliance with all youth even more important. Finally, acculturation has racist origins and is a one-directional concept based on prevailing cultural standards; relying on acculturation during assessments with youth of color should be avoided. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Queering Critical Consciousness: Measurement and Implications of Critical Consciousness Among Sexual and Gender Minority Youth

We consider critical consciousness among sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth. Factor analytic and measurement invariance analyses were conducted across straight Black and Latinx youth (N = 254), SGM Black and Latinx youth (N = 111), and SGM white youth (N = 458). Factors of critical reflection and political efficacy emerged in all groups. Configural and partial metric invariance, but not scalar or residual invariance, were established. Correlations between political efficacy and wellbeing and grades replicated across groups. Critical reflection was associated with grades only for white youth, while critical action was associated with grades only for non-white youth. Implications for measurement and generalizable application of CC with an intersectional lens are discussed.

Self-determination for students with disabilities during challenging times

In the field of special education and transition services, self-determination is understood as a dispositional characteristic whose development can be supported through effective interventions. However, limited research has explored how youth used their self-determination to navigate through the pandemic and barriers they encountered during and after this period. The purpose of this study was to look at self-reported self-determination scores on the Self-Determination Inventory over one year as students with disabilities returned to school after the onset of the COVID-19 public health emergency to inform future research and supports during challenging times. In a sample of 1,128 students with disabilities, we found statistically and practically significant growth in youth self-determination from the Fall of 2020 to the Fall of 2021, overall and particularly on the Decide subscale of the Self-Determination Inventory. Black youth tended to score higher than White youth overall and across all subscales. There were, however, substantial missing data and a lack of information on interventions and supports received. Limitations and implications for future self-determination research to build on student’s strengths and center their strategies to advance their self-determination are discussed.

Flavored combustible tobacco product initiation in two longitudinal youth cohorts in the US Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study: 2013–2016 and 2016–2019

IntroductionFlavored tobacco products increase appeal and lower barriers to nicotine addiction for young people. We compared environmental, psychosocial, behavioral, and demographic characteristics between youth who started with flavored and non-flavored (i.e., tobacco-flavored) combustible tobacco products (CTPs). MethodsWe analyzed two representative US youth cohorts (baseline age 12–15) from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study (Wave 1 Cohort (W1) 2013–2016; Wave 4 Cohort (W4) 2016–2019). We first assessed baseline characteristics associated with any subsequent CTP initiation among youth with baseline never CTP use (W1 n=5,946; W4 n=8,240). Then, for baseline CTP-naïve youth with subsequent CTP initiation (new experimentation; W1 n=519; W4 n=538), we assessed baseline characteristics associated with subsequent initiation with flavored CTPs versus non-flavored. ResultsMost youth reporting new CTP experimentation initiated with flavored CTPs (W1:67.8%; W4:74.2%). Household norms, susceptibility, baseline experimentation with vaping, alcohol, and/or cannabis; and White race were associated with CTP experimentation. For both cohorts, frequent social media use was associated with flavored CTP initiation (W4 AOR:2.50, 95%CI:1.22,5.12) and Black youth (W4 AOR:0.12, 95%CI:0.06,0.25) were less likely to initiate with flavored CTPs than White youth. Among W1 Cohort youth, perceiving flavored product use as easier was positively associated with flavored CTP initiation (AOR:1.48, 95%CI:1.01,2.17). Among W4 Cohort youth, baseline vaping was negatively associated with flavored CTP initiation (AOR:0.10, 95%CI:0.05,0.20). ConclusionFrequent social media use was associated with flavored CTP initiation among youth who used CTPs. Youth who had ever vaped and Black youth were less likely to initiate with flavored CTPs.

Alignment of parent-proxy report and teen self-report of adverse childhood experiences among U.S. teens

PurposeData on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among teens is collected using a single informant, a parent-proxy, or teen self-report. Little is known about alignment between these approaches. MethodsSurveys were administered online to teens ages 15–17 and their parents (n = 522 dyads) using the AmeriSpeak panel. We present descriptive statistics on the prevalence and measures agreement for 18 ACEs based on teen self-report and parent-proxy report. We fit multivariable models examining associations between teen and household demographic characteristics and discordance in ACE report. ResultsBased on teen-self report and parent-proxy report, cumulative and individual ACE prevalence was overall similar. However, discordance was found in individual ACE reports within teen-parent dyads (discordance ranged: 2.9–21.2 %). Lowest agreement was among ACEs related to abuse, neglect, and violence victimization and highest among household challenges. Furthermore, parent-teen dyads with LGB+ youth (vs. heterosexual) and Black, Hispanic, and multiracial or another race (vs. White) youth were more likely to have discordant responses among several ACEs. ConclusionsSurveillance and programmatic efforts should consider the type of ACE and the reporter when using data to inform prevention strategies. Teen self-report for abuse, neglect, and violence victimization and community challenges ACEs are particularly important to capture.

Mental Health Among Incarcerated Male Youth With Violent and Sexual Offense Convictions by Race and Offense Type.

Incarcerated adolescents are at increased risk for negative mental health outcomes. Race and offense type can differentially influence legal outcomes as well as mental health symptom presentation. Our study examined whether adolescent mental health problems differed for 1,303 male youth at a Southeastern U.S.-based juvenile prison depending on the adolescent's race and offense type (specifically offenses involving physical or sexual violence). Results indicated significantly different patterns of mental health symptoms and psychopathic traits between Black and White male youth and between male youth with adjudicated violent and sexual offenses. Study findings have important implications for policies and practices centered around rehabilitative practices in juvenile prisons.

Role of Impulsivity in Explaining Social Gradient in Youth Tobacco Use Initiation: Does Race Matter?

Socioeconomic status (SES) is traditionally viewed as a protective factor against impulsivity and subsequent tobacco use in youth. The prevailing model suggests that higher SES is associated with lower impulsivity, which in turn reduces the likelihood of future tobacco use. However, this pathway may not hold uniformly across racial groups due to differences in impulsivity and the phenomenon of Minorities' Diminished Returns (MDRs), where the protective effects of SES, such as educational attainment, tend to be weaker or even reversed for Black youth compared to their White counterparts. This study aims to examine the racial heterogeneity in the pathway from childhood SES to impulsivity and subsequent tobacco use initiation during adolescence, focusing on differences between Black and White youth. Data were drawn from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, which includes a diverse sample of youth aged 9 to 16 years. The analysis examined the relationship between baseline family SES (age 9), impulsivity (age 9), and subsequent tobacco use (ages 9 to 16). Impulsivity was measured using the Urgency, Premeditation (lack of), Perseverance (lack of), Sensation Seeking, and Positive Urgency Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS-P). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed, with analyses stratified by race to explore potential differences in these associations. Overall, 6,161 non-Latino White and 1,775 non-Latino Black adolescents entered our analysis. In the full sample, higher family SES was linked to lower childhood impulsivity and, consequently, less tobacco uses in adolescence. However, racial differences emerged upon stratification. Among White youth, higher SES was associated with lower impulsivity, leading to reduced tobacco use, consistent with the expected model. In contrast, among Black youth, higher SES was not associated with lower impulsivity, thereby disrupting the protective effect of SES on tobacco use through this pathway. These findings suggest that racial heterogeneity exists in the SES-impulsivity-tobacco use pathway, aligning with the MDRs framework, which highlights how structural factors may weaken the protective effects of high SES among Black youth. These findings underscore the importance of considering racial heterogeneity in the relationships between SES, impulsivity, and tobacco use. The observed disparities suggest a need for targeted interventions that address the unique challenges faced by Black youth, who may not experience the same protective benefits of high SES as their White peers. These results carry significant implications for public health strategies aimed at reducing tobacco use in racially diverse populations.

Children’s perceptions of race and ethnicity in media: a 25-year update to children now

ABSTRACT In 1998, Children Now surveyed 1,200 U.S. 10- to 17-year-olds about TV racial depictions, finding white children reported the most visibility. As a 25-year update, we surveyed 834 U.S. 10- to 17-year-olds: Asian/Asian American (n = 177), Black (n = 206), Hispanic (n = 150), Indigenous/Native American (n = 86), and white (n = 215). More youth now say it’s important to see their race in media, but fewer report seeing their group, with Hispanic and Asian youth reporting the lowest frequencies. Overall, youth perceived disparities: 93% said there were ‘enough’ white characters; fewer said there were enough Black (54%), Hispanic (43%), Asian (32%), and Indigenous (19%) characters. Perceptions of qualities varied, with Indigenous characters scoring lowest in positive qualities and Black and Hispanic characters highest in negative qualities. Indigenous, Hispanic, and Asian/Asian American youth perceived fewer positive ingroup representations than white and Black youth. Implications for media message design and the theory of invisibility are discussed.

The Potential of Minimum Wage Increases to Reduce Youth Homicide Disparities: Diminishing Returns for Black Youth.

We examine and compare the relationship between minimum wage increases and youth homicide rates in three groups: all youth, White youth only, and Black youth only. Using 2001-2019 mortality data from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) for all 50 states and Washington DC, we apply a difference in differences (DD) design to compare the change in youth homicides across states with varying changes in the state-specific minimum wage. With the inclusion of state-specific linear time trends, we find that a $1 increase in minimum wage leads to a significant 4% reduction (RR = 0.96, 95%CI [0.92, 0.99]) in homicides among White youth, but no significant reduction among Black youth (RR = 0.98, 95%CI [0.91, 1.04]). Findings are consistent with research on marginalization-related diminished returns for Black youth. While minimum wage increases are a promising step to reduce youth homicides overall, reducing homicide disparities experienced by Black youth requires additional components. Future research should examine policies with the specific intention to dismantle structural racism.

Longitudinal Changes in Youth Mental Health From Before to During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Robust longitudinal studies of within-child changes in mental health associated with the COVID-19 pandemic are lacking, as are studies examining sources of heterogeneity in such changes. To investigate within-child changes, overall and between subgroups, in youth mental health from prepandemic to midpandemic. This cohort study used longitudinal prepandemic and midpandemic data from the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, collected between January 1, 2015, and March 12, 2020 (prepandemic), and between March 13, 2020, and August 31, 2022 (midpandemic). Data were analyzed between December 1, 2022, and June 1, 2024. The sample included 9 US-based observational longitudinal pediatric ECHO cohorts. Cohorts were included if they collected the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) School Age version before and during the pandemic on more than 20 participants of normal birth weight aged 6 to 17 years. The COVID-19 pandemic. Prepandemic to midpandemic changes in CBCL internalizing, externalizing, depression, anxiety, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) scores were estimated, and differences in outcome trajectories by child sociodemographic characteristics (age, sex, race, ethnicity, and poverty level) and prepandemic mental health problems were examined using established CBCL clinical score thresholds. A total of 1229 participants (mean [SD] age during the pandemic, 10.68 [2.29] years; 625 girls [50.9%]) were included. The sample was socioeconomically diverse (197 of 1056 children [18.7%] lived at ≤130% of the Federal Poverty Level; 635 (51.7%) identified as White, 388 (31.6%) as Black, 147 (12.0%) as multiracial, 40 (3.3%) as another race, and 118 (9.6%) as Hispanic). Generalized linear mixed-effects models revealed minor decreases in externalizing problems (β = -0.88; 95% CI, -1.16 to -0.60), anxiety (β = -0.18; 95% CI, -0.31 to -0.05), and ADHD (β = -0.36; 95% CI, -0.50 to -0.22), but a minor increase in depression (β = 0.22; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.35). Youth with borderline or clinically meaningful prepandemic scores experienced decreases across all outcomes, particularly externalizing problems (borderline, β = -2.85; 95% CI, -3.92 to -1.78; clinical, β = -4.88; 95% CI, -5.84 to -3.92). Low-income (β = -0.76; 95% CI, -1.14 to -0.37) and Black (β = -0.52; 95% CI, -0.83 to -0.20) youth experienced small decreases in ADHD compared with higher income and White youth, respectively. In this longitudinal cohort study of economically and racially diverse US youth, there was evidence of differential susceptibility and resilience for mental health problems during the pandemic that was associated with prepandemic mental health and sociodemographic characteristics.

City-Level Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Taxes and Youth Body Mass Index Percentile

Levying excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) distributors, which are subsequently passed on to consumers, is a policy implemented to reduce the high prevalence of cardiometabolic disease and generate public health funding. Taxes are associated with lower SSB purchases and consumption, but it is unknown whether they are associated with weight-related outcomes in youth. To determine the association of SSB excise taxes with youth body mass index (BMI) trajectories. This cohort study was conducted from 2009 to 2020, including 6 years before tax implementation and 4 to 6 years after tax implementation. The California cities of Albany, Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco, which implemented SSB excise taxes, were compared against 40 demographically matched control cities in California. Participants included Kaiser Permanente members aged 2 to 19 years at cohort entry (baseline) with continuous residence in selected cities with at least 1 pretax and 1 posttax BMI recorded in their electronic health record. Data analysis was performed from January 2021 to May 2023. Implementation of SSB excise taxes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention age-specific and sex-specific BMI percentiles and percentage of youth with overweight or obesity before tax implementation through 4 to 6 years after implementation were compared with control cities. Statistical analysis was conducted using the difference-in-differences (DID) method. A sensitivity analysis used the synthetic control method. A total of 44 771 youth (mean [SD] age at baseline, 6.4 [4.2] years; 22 337 female [49.9%]) resided in the cities with SSB taxes; 345 428 youth (mean [SD] age, 6.9 [4.2] years; 171 0168 female [49.5%]) resided in control cities. There was a -1.64-percentage point (95% CI, -3.10 to -0.17 percentage points) overall difference in the mean change of BMI percentile between exposure and control cities after SSB tax implementation. There was no significant overall difference in the percentage of youth with overweight or obesity or youth with obesity compared with control cities. All DID estimates were significant for youth residing in exposure cities in terms of BMI percentile (age 2-5 years in 2017, -2.06 percentage points [95% CI, -4.04 to -0.09 percentage points]; age 6-11 years in 2017, -2.79 percentage points [95% CI, -4.29 to -1.30 percentage points]), percentages of youth with overweight or obesity (age 2-5 years, -5.46 percentage points [95% CI, -8.47 to -2.44 percentage points]; age 6-11 years, -4.23 percentage points [95% CI, -6.90 to -1.57 percentage points]), and percentages of youth with obesity (age 2-5 years; -1.87 percentage points [95% CI, -3.36 to -0.38 percentage points]; age 6-11 years, -1.85 percentage points [95% CI, -3.46 to -0.24 percentage points]). Compared with control cities, changes in mean BMI percentiles were significant for male (-1.98 percentage points; 95% CI, -3.48 to -0.48 percentage points), Asian (-1.63 percentage points; 95% CI, -3.10 to -0.16 percentage points), and White (-2.58 percentage points; 95% CI, -4.11 to -1.10 percentage points) youth. Compared with control cities, White youth in exposure cities had improvements in the percentage with overweight or obesity (-3.73 percentage points; 95% CI, -6.11 to -1.35 percentage points) and the percentage with obesity (-2.78 percentage points; 95% CI, -4.18 to -1.37 percentage points). In this cohort study, SSB excise taxes were associated with lower BMI percentile among youth. Policymakers should consider implementing SSB excise taxes to prevent or reduce youth overweight and obesity and, ultimately, chronic disease, particularly among children younger than 12 years.

Youth Suicide and Preceding Mental Health Diagnosis

Suicide is a leading cause of death among US youths, and mental health disorders are a known factor associated with increased suicide risk. Knowledge about potential sociodemographic differences in documented mental health diagnoses may guide prevention efforts. To examine the association of documented mental health diagnosis with (1) sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, (2) precipitating circumstances, and (3) mechanism among youth suicide decedents. This retrospective, cross-sectional study of youth suicide decedents aged 10 to 24 years used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Violent Death Reporting System from 2010 to 2021. Data analysis was conducted from January to November 2023. Sociodemographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, precipitating circumstances, and suicide mechanism. The primary outcome was previously documented presence of a mental health diagnosis. Associations were evaluated by multivariable logistic regression. Among 40 618 youth suicide decedents (23 602 aged 20 to 24 years [58.1%]; 32 167 male [79.2%]; 1190 American Indian or Alaska Native [2.9%]; 1680 Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Other Pacific Islander [4.2%]; 5118 Black [12.7%]; 5334 Hispanic [13.2%]; 35 034 non-Hispanic; 30 756 White [76.1%]), 16 426 (40.4%) had a documented mental health diagnosis and 19 027 (46.8%) died by firearms. The adjusted odds of having a mental health diagnosis were lower among youths who were American Indian or Alaska Native (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.45; 95% CI, 0.39-0.51); Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Other Pacific Islander (aOR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.52-0.64); and Black (aOR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.58-0.66) compared with White youths; lower among Hispanic youths (aOR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.72-0.82) compared with non-Hispanic youths; lower among youths aged 10 to 14 years (aOR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.65-0.76) compared with youths aged 20 to 24 years; and higher for females (aOR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.56-1.73) than males. A mental health diagnosis was documented for 6308 of 19 027 youths who died by firearms (33.2%); 1691 of 2743 youths who died by poisonings (61.6%); 7017 of 15 331 youths who died by hanging, strangulation, or suffocation (45.8%); and 1407 of 3181 youths who died by other mechanisms (44.2%). Compared with firearm suicides, the adjusted odds of having a documented mental health diagnosis were higher for suicides by poisoning (aOR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.62-1.78); hanging, strangulation, and suffocation (aOR, 2.78; 95% CI, 2.55-3.03); and other mechanisms (aOR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.47-1.72). In this cross-sectional study, 3 of 5 youth suicide decedents did not have a documented preceding mental health diagnosis; the odds of having a mental health diagnosis were lower among racially and ethnically minoritized youths than White youths and among firearm suicides compared with other mechanisms. These findings underscore the need for equitable identification of mental health needs and universal lethal means counseling as strategies to prevent youth suicide.

Work hope among rural Latinx and White youth: the role of beliefs in a just America, class inequality, and educational meritocracy

Work hope among rural Latinx and White youth: the role of beliefs in a just America, class inequality, and educational meritocracy