Ethnic Teens Feel Pressure from Discrimination

Teens say that its tough enough being their age in today's society how it is, but the situation is worse for adolescents who are also part of ethnic minorities. These minorities still feel the effects of discrimination, say investigators at an American university.

The team says that it's hard being a teen, and add that peer pressure, the need to fit in, and differences in skin color and ethnicity are all factors that come together to exert pressure on young adults.

Fitting in is high on the agenda for members of ethnic groups, say investigators from the University of California in Los Angeles, and minorities need to consider this on top of all other concerns.

This means that they have to make an extra effort, which in turn may take an important toll on their health. Teens of Latin American and Asian backgrounds are most at risk here, the UCLA group says.

The new investigation reveals that discrimination comes not only from the teens' peers, but also from adults of European descent. The situation has serious implications.

Some of the negative side-effects associated with this level of discrimination include depression, distress and lower levels of self-esteem, which may last well into adult life.

The group published its discoveries in the latest online issue of the top-rated Journal of Research on Adolescence. The lead author of the work was Virginia W. Huynh.

She is a graduate student in the lab of UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior psychiatry professor Andrew J. Fuligni.

The expert conducted the new series of investigations on some 600 high school seniors, both males and females in equal numbers.

All test participants were asked to keep a daily diary for about 14 days, in which to note any discriminatory remarks or attitudes they may have been exposed to.

“These are the years when social identity is arguably more salient among teenagers who are struggling with defining who they are,” says Fuligni, who is also the senior author of the investigation.

“Adding on a 'layer' of discrimination is not an easy thing for them to deal with,” adds the professor.

“Discrimination significantly predicted lower GPAs, higher levels of depression, higher levels of distress, lower self-esteem and more physical complaints,” Fuligni goes on to say.

“So the bottom line? Discrimination is harmful,” he concludes.