Long-term discrimination effects on adolescent health behaviors and well-being in four countries


Emmer, Christine ; Neumer, Anna ; Kalter, Frank ; Mata, Jutta


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0001496
URL: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2025-99346-001
URN: urn:nbn:de:bsz:180-madoc-695916
Document Type: Article
Year of publication Online: 2025
Date: 2025
The title of a journal, publication series: Health Psychology
Volume: tba
Issue number: tba
Place of publication: Washington, DC
Publishing house: American Psychological Association
ISSN: 0278-6133 , 1930-7810
Publication language: English
Institution: School of Social Sciences > Arbeits- u. Organisationspsychologie (Sonnentag 2010-)
School of Social Sciences > Allgemeine Soziologie (Kalter 2009-)
Außerfakultäre Einrichtungen > Mannheim Centre for European Social Research - Research Department A
School of Social Sciences > Gesundheitspsychologie (Mata 2015-)
Subject: 150 Psychology
300 Social sciences, sociology, anthropology
Keywords (English): (social) discrimination , health disparities , health behavior , adolescent health
Abstract: Objective: Adolescence is a pivotal foundation for lifelong health and a phase vulnerable to the adverse effects of discrimination. We assessed the impact of perceived discrimination on adolescent well-being over 2 years and the mediating effects of protective (physical activity, nutrition, sleep) and risky (substance use) health behaviors. Methods: Adolescents (N = 9,957; Mage = 14.90 years) from the CILS4EU multinational panel (a longitudinal survey in four European countries) were examined across three waves. Direct and indirect relationships were analyzed using path models, adjusting for health behaviors, well-being, and control variables (age, gender, socioeconomic status, migration, religion) assessed in Wave 1. Results: Adolescents reported the most discrimination instances within the school environment. Perceived discrimination at Wave 1 was significantly associated with decreased well-being at Wave 3 (β = -.04, p < .001) and decreased protective (physical activity: β = -.02, nutrition: β = -.04, sleep: β = -.04) and increased risky (substance use: β = .03) health behaviors at Wave 2. Nutrition and sleep mediated the relationship between perceived discrimination and well-being; no mediation was found for physical activity and substance use. Conclusions: Even in observational data with 1-year assessment intervals, detrimental long-term effects of perceived discrimination on adolescent well-being are apparent, mediated through changes in nutrition and sleep behaviors. These results extend previous research—predominantly focusing on substance use—showing that perceived discrimination also predicted fewer protective health behaviors. Adolescence represents a strategic window for addressing discrimination and promoting healthy behaviors and well-being to mitigate long-term health disparities.


SDG 3: Good Health and Well-BeingSDG 10: Reduced Inequalities


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