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Social Determinants of Health: the Impact of Racism on Early Childhood Mental Health

  • Child and Adolescent Disorders (TD Benton, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Despite increased literature on the impact of racism in the past decades, relatively few studies have focused on the effects of racism on younger children. This article reviews research from the past 5 years focusing on the impact of racism on infant and early childhood mental health and socioemotional development.

Recent Findings

Longitudinal studies provide evidence that very young children are highly influenced by exposure to multiple and interconnecting levels of racism and discrimination. These forms of exposure (structural and personally mediated, which can be further divided into direct and indirect exposure) are particularly nefarious to young children’s socioemotional development and have implications for adolescent and adult mental health with lasting sequelae. Furthermore, the effects of racism on parenting practices and maternal/caregiver mental health appear to indicate mechanisms through which racism affects young children.

Summary

Although more studies are needed in this area, recent literature indicates that racism is a social determinant of health that adversely impacts infant and early childhood socioemotional, and behavioral development. Future studies should focus on understanding the mechanisms through which racism impacts early childhood development and health, and interventions to prevent and mitigate the effects of racism.

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Data Availability

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Funding

Dr. Londono Tobon receives support from T32MH019927.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child Psychiatry, New York University, New York, NY, USA

    Obianuju O. Berry

  2. Office of Behavioral Health, New York Health + Hospital, New York, NY, USA

    Obianuju O. Berry

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

    Amalia Londoño Tobón

  4. Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Wanjikũ F. M. Njoroge

  5. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Wanjikũ F. M. Njoroge

Authors
  1. Obianuju O. Berry
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  2. Amalia Londoño Tobón
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  3. Wanjikũ F. M. Njoroge
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All authors conceptualized the analysis, provided critical revisions to the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Obianuju O. Berry.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Child and Adolescent Disorders

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Berry, O.O., Londoño Tobón, A. & Njoroge, W.F.M. Social Determinants of Health: the Impact of Racism on Early Childhood Mental Health. Curr Psychiatry Rep 23, 23 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-021-01240-0

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