|
Racial Bias and Mental Illness Stigma as Risk Factors for Mental Health Problems Principal Investigator: J. Nicole Shelton; Co-Investigator: Jennifer A. Richeson Past research has shown that contending with issues of racial bias can have a negative effect on the mental health of ethnic minorities. For instance, experiences with racial bias over time have a cumulative, negative impact on ethnic minorities’ subjective well-being. Many scholars have argued, however, that contemporary racial bias has changed; contemporary bias is thought to be more subtle than more “old-fashioned” and blatant forms of racial bias and is often unintentional and unconscious. Furthermore, most White citizens of the United States are concerned about behaving in nonprejudiced ways. Researchers have only recently begun to consider how these more subtle forms of racial bias and concerns about appearing prejudiced might influence ethnic minorities’ well-being. A major goal of the proposed research, therefore, is to investigate the impact that Whites’ racial bias, albeit unintentional and nonconscious, and their concerns with appearing racially biased have on ethnic minorities’ mental health. The overarching goal of this research is to bridge basic and clinical research that will ultimately open the door to understanding how racial stressors promote racial disparities in health. Funding Source: National Institute of Mental Health, Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research For More Information Please Contact: m-rheinschmidt@northwestern.edu |