- Three latent classes identified differing by neighbourhood violence, drug exposure, ethnic identity exploration and affirmation, and racial self-efficacy.
- High risk class combined greatest neighbourhood violence and drug sales with highest self-efficacy and support yet showed elevated anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and attempts.
- Promoting ethnic-racial identity affirmation, racial self-efficacy and neighbourhood support may foster resilience and reduce mental health disparities among ERM youth.
J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2026 Oct 16. doi: 10.1007/s40615-026-03183-9. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize profiles of neighborhood exposures and factors of ethnic identity and (2) assess associations with mental health outcomes among ethnic-racial minoritized (ERM) youth living in urban areas.
METHOD: Our final sample consisted of (n = 767) youth with a mean age of 15.5 years (SD = 1.7) and were 53.5% males and 46.6% females. Majority of participants identified as Latine (54.3%) followed by Black/African American, Multiracial, and other respectively (31%, 7.4%, and 7.3%). Latent class analysis (LCA) was conducted to identify subgroups of youth based on seven observed indicators: racial self-efficacy, exposure to neighborhood violence, witnessing drugs sold on school property, witnessing drugs sold in the neighborhood, neighborhood support, and two dimensions of ethnic identity: exploration and affirmation. Subsequent analyses examined differences in psychosocial outcomes and demographic characteristics.
RESULTS: Three distinct classes emerged with Class 1 (Low Risk) being defined by low exposure to neighborhood violence and drug sales, moderate neighborhood support, and lower levels of ERI exploration and affirmation. In contrast, Class 3 (High Risk) was marked by the greatest exposure to neighborhood violence and drug sales, the highest self-efficacy and neighborhood support, and moderate ERI development. Class 3 exhibited higher levels of anxiety, depression, and both suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts.
CONCLUSION: While neighborhood violence and witnessing drug sales may increase risk, fostering environments which support ethnic-racial identity affirmation, racial self-efficacy, and neighborhood support may promote resilience and advance mental health equity among ERM youth.
PMID:42886336 | DOI:10.1007/s40615-026-03183-9
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