Discrimination associated with higher odds of experiencing depression, suicidal ideation

Increased levels of discrimination were associated with higher odds of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation, especially among Hispanic or Latino individuals, researchers reported in JAMA Psychiatry.

Young A. Lee, PhD, a research fellow in psychology at Massachusetts General Hospital, and colleagues examined the association of mental health with discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lee and colleagues used repeated assessments during the pandemic and mixed-effects models to assess the associations of discrimination with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation.

Researchers used the Everyday Discrimination Scale, as well as the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Scores that were greater or equal to 10 on the PHQ-9 scale, were classified as moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Positive responses to item nine on the questionnaire were considered as presenting suicidal ideation.

A total of 62,651 participants (mean age, 59.3 years; 65.6% female) completed at least one assessment between May 2020 and July 2020.

Lee and colleagues reported that an association with significantly increased likelihood of moderate to severe depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation was observed as levels of discrimination increased. A dose-response association increased the odds of depressive symptoms 17.68-fold (95% CI, 13.49-23.17), as well as a 10.76-fold increase in the odds of suicidal ideation (95% CI, 7.82-14.80), respectively, when experiencing discrimination more than once per week.

Additionally, the association of depressive symptoms was greater when the main reason for discrimination was race, ancestry or national origins among Hispanic or Latino participants, researchers reported.

“By demonstrating the complex and dynamic relationship between discrimination and adverse mental health outcomes in a large and diverse sample of the United States, this study provides empirical evidence regarding the adverse mental health consequences of discrimination based on race, ancestry or national origins during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among individuals self-identifying as Hispanic or Latino or non-Hispanic Asian,” Lee and colleagues wrote.