Positive youth development and mental health in Latine adolescents experiencing discrimination: A mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND

The role of Positive Youth Development (PYD) and prosocial involvement in buffering the impact of racial-ethnic discrimination among Latine adolescents remains understudied.

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether PYD and community-level opportunities and rewards for prosocial involvement moderate the association between discrimination and depressive symptoms and suicidality in Latine adolescents through a mixed methods approach.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Latine adolescents (N = 110), assessing racial-ethnic discrimination (Everyday Discrimination Scale [EDS]), depressive symptoms and suicidality (Mood and Feelings Questionnaire [MFQ]), PYD (PYD Short Form), and community-level opportunities and rewards for prosocial involvement (Communities That Care scales). Linear and logistic regression models examined predictors of depressive symptoms and suicidality. Moderation was tested with interaction terms. Semi-structured interviews were completed with a nested sample of adolescents and caregivers (N = 18 dyads). A thematic analysis of interviews with a focus on the role of PYD was conducted.

RESULTS

EDS scores were associated with higher MFQ scores and suicidality. PYD factors and community-level opportunities and rewards for prosocial involvement were associated with lower MFQ scores and suicidality. These trends were generally consistent in adjusted regressions. None of the PYD factors, nor community-level opportunities and rewards for prosocial involvement, moderated these relationships. Qualitative findings identified youth-described processes consistent with PYD that appeared to support coping in the context of discrimination.

CONCLUSIONS

PYD factors and community-level opportunities and rewards for prosocial involvement are associated with improved mental health among Latine adolescents but may not be sufficient to buffer the harmful effects of racial-ethnic discrimination.