Parental support in adolescence: A potential moderator of the relationship between racial discrimination and adult suicidality

Abstract

Objectives: It is critical to understand supportive factors that may help mitigate the negative effects of racial discrimination on mental health. Supportive family environments positively impact adolescent health, yet less is known about the impact of family support on adult health outcomes as a consequence of experiences of racial discrimination. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate parental support in adolescence as a potential moderator of the relationship between racial discrimination and mental health, specifically stress and suicidality, in adulthood.

Study design: Secondary data analysis.

Methods: We performed a secondary data analysis using data from waves I (grades 7-12), IV (ages 24-32), and V (ages 32-42) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 1523).

Results: Univariate logistic regression models showed that racial discrimination was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of suicidality in adulthood (Odds Ratio = 12.94, 95 % Confidence Interval = [4.69, 35.73]). Multivariate models showed similar findings. Racial discrimination was also significantly associated with increased stress scores in adulthood, though with a small effect. Maternal, paternal, and overall parental support in adolescence did not moderate these relationships. This remained true in racial and ethnic subgroup analyses.

Conclusions: Parental support includes a variety of behaviors that may not have been fully captured in the measures used in this study. Potential moderating effects should be evaluated using alternative measures of parental support that may better capture these behaviors.

Keywords: Mental health; Parental support; Racial discrimination; Suicidality.