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The DRUID study: exploring mediating pathways between racism and depressive symptoms among indigenous Australians
PURPOSE: Racism is an important determinant of mental and physical health for minority populations. However, to date little is known about the relationship between racism and ill-health outside of the U.S. or the causal pathways between racism and poor health. This paper focuses on the relationship between racism and depression in a non-U.S. indigenous population, including examination of novel mediators and moderators. METHODS: One hundred and eighty-five adults in the Darwin Region Urban Indigenous Diabetes study responded to a validated instrument assessing multiple facets of racism. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Stress, optimism, lack of control, social connections, cultural identity and reactions/responses to interpersonal racism were considered as possible mediators and moderators in linear regression models. RESULTS: Interpersonal racism was significantly associated with depression after adjusting for socio-demographic factors (β = 0.08, p < 0.001). Lack of control, stress, negative social connections and feeling ashamed, amused or powerless as reactions to racism were each identified as significant mediators of the relationship between racism and depressive symptoms. All examined mediators together accounted for 66% of the association between interpersonal racism and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that racism is associated with depressive symptoms in an indigenous population. The mediating factors between racism and depressive symptoms identified in this study suggest new approaches to ameliorating the detrimental effects of racism on health.
History
Journal
Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiologyVolume
47Issue
2Pagination
165 - 173Publisher
SpringerLocation
Berlin, GermanyPublisher DOI
eISSN
1433-9285Indigenous content
This research output may contain the names and images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people now deceased. We apologise for any distress that may occur.Language
engPublication classification
C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2010, SpringerUsage metrics
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AdolescentAdultAgedAustraliaCross-Sectional StudiesDepressionEffect Modifier, EpidemiologicFemaleHealth SurveysHumansInterpersonal RelationsLinear ModelsMaleMiddle AgedOceanic Ancestry GroupPrejudiceSocial IdentificationSocial PerceptionStress, PsychologicalSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultIndigenousracismmental healthScience & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicinePsychiatryPERCEIVED DISCRIMINATIONUNFAIR TREATMENTSUBSTANCE USEETHNIC DISCRIMINATIONFILIPINO AMERICANSASIAN-AMERICANSTOBACCO USEHEALTHSTRESSIDENTITY
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