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The Role of Racial Disaggregation in Understanding AI/AN Adolescent Suicidal Behavior: Assessment of the Youth Risk
Summary
The computed raceeth variable may underestimate suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) adolescents. Multiracial AI/AN youth report significantly higher rates, highlighting disparities in public health research.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Sociology
Background:
- Adolescent mental health disparities are a significant public health concern.
- Accurate identification of at-risk populations is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Existing surveillance systems may not fully capture the complexities of ethnoracial identity among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among AI/AN adolescents using the computed raceeth variable versus self-reported ethnoracial identity.
- To identify potential underestimation of risk in AI/AN populations by standard categorization methods.
- To highlight disparities in mental health outcomes among multiracial AI/AN adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) data.
- Comparison of AI/AN adolescents identified via the raceeth variable versus self-reported multiple ethnoracial identities.
- Calculation of population-weighted percentages using survey design and sampling weights.
Main Results:
- AI/AN adolescents identified by raceeth had suicidal ideation (27.3%) and attempts (21.85%) rates.
- Self-reported multiracial AI/AN adolescents, particularly AI/AN + White (Hispanic) and AI/AN + Black + White (non-Hispanic), showed significantly higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempts.
- Specific rates for multiracial groups exceeded those for the raceeth-identified AI/AN group, indicating potential undercounting of risk.
Conclusions:
- The computed raceeth variable may exclude multiracial AI/AN subgroups at elevated risk for suicidal behaviors.
- Addressing mental health disparities requires healthcare provider awareness and more inclusive public health research methodologies.
- Future research should prioritize understanding and supporting the unique needs of multiracial AI/AN adolescents.
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