Adolescent mental health in the context of discrimination: Examining Multiracial racial socialization

There is limited research on racial socialization and its potential protective effect on youth mental health within Multiracial families. With a sample of Multiracial families (N = 209; 46 % female youth), we investigated associations between adolescent experiences of racial discrimination (parent and youth reports at ages 14 and 16) and racial socialization (observational task at age 14) on depressive symptoms (youth report at age 16). Multiracial youth with more experiences of discrimination had more depressive symptoms. Multiracial youth who received more racial socialization in the form of a combination of preparation for bias for youth with or without past experiences of discrimination, cultural pride, and egalitarian messages had fewer depressive symptoms. However, observed racial socialization did not moderate the association between discrimination and depressive symptoms. The findings call for ongoing efforts to support youth and their families in the context of discrimination.