Race/ethnicity and internalizing disorders in youth: a review

Clin Psychol Rev. 2010 Apr;30(3):338-48. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2009.12.008. Epub 2010 Jan 4.

Abstract

This review examines the impact of race/ethnicity and cultural differences in the presentation and prevalence rates of internalizing disorders in youth, as well as a variety of associated factors. There is robust support for higher prevalence rates of depression and anxiety in ethnic minority youth living in the United States. Gender differences are consistent across ethnicity, but symptom presentation, biological factors, and family processes vary somewhat by ethnic group. Environmental factors and acculturation are considered in relation to internalizing disorders in ethnic minority youth. Several problems with the literature are outlined. Several recommendations are made including better operationalization of internalizing disorders in the DSM and key issues that warrant being added to background text in the DSM. A research agenda is outlined to address possible mechanisms by which culture and race/ethnicity impact internalizing symptomatology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acculturation
  • Adolescent
  • Anxiety Disorders / epidemiology
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Asian / psychology
  • Asian / statistics & numerical data
  • Black or African American / psychology
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data
  • Child
  • Culture
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Environment
  • Ethnicity / psychology*
  • Ethnicity / statistics & numerical data
  • Family / psychology
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology
  • Hispanic or Latino / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control*
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Prevalence
  • Racial Groups / psychology*
  • Racial Groups / statistics & numerical data
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • United States / epidemiology
  • White People / psychology
  • White People / statistics & numerical data