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Racial Media Microaggressions: Impact on Black Adolescent Mental and Behavioral Health
Maribeth Clifton1, Richelle L Clifton2, Tamika C B Zapolski3
1University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA.
OTJR : Occupation, Participation and Health
|November 10, 2025
Summary
Exposure to racial media microaggressions significantly impacts Black adolescents' behavioral health, specifically increasing aggression the following day. Mental health and cannabis use were not significantly affected.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Media Studies
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Media use is a significant occupation for adolescents.
- Black adolescents face risks of racial microaggressions via media.
- Racial microaggressions negatively impact health.
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine the impact of racial media microaggressions on Black adolescents' mental and behavioral health.
- Investigate associations with depression, anxiety, aggression, and cannabis use.
Main Methods:
- 14-day daily diary protocol.
- Measures included racial media microaggressions, depression, anxiety, aggression, and cannabis use.
- Statistical analysis of concurrent and lagged effects.
Main Results:
- No significant concurrent or lagged associations found for anxiety, depression, or cannabis use.
- A statistically significant next-day lagged effect of racial media microaggressions on aggression was observed at both within- and between-person levels.
- Exposure to racial media microaggressions impacted Black adolescent behavioral health.
Conclusions:
- Racial media microaggressions are linked to increased aggression in Black adolescents.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind this association.
- Interventions may be necessary to mitigate negative impacts on adolescent behavioral health.
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