Examining the Impact of Social Connectedness on Depression and Suicide Ideation Among Black Youth Experiencing Discrimination: A Path Analysis

Research has found that experiences of racial discrimination among Black youth contribute to adverse behavioral health outcomes, including depression and suicide ideation. This study is guided by social support theory and the stress buffering model to further understand how social connectedness can influence the effect of everyday discrimination on depression symptoms and suicide ideation. Using survey data from a sample of 362 Black youth (18 to 24 years of age) in the Midwest, the current study conducted path analyses to examine the direct and indirect effects of everyday discrimination on depressive symptoms and suicide ideation, mediated by social connectedness. The average age of the sample was 21 (SD = 1.96), and the majority of the sample self-identified as female (70%). Fifty-one percent of the sample reported suicide ideation. Study results found that everyday discrimination was directly associated with an increase in depression symptoms and suicide ideation. Results also indicated that social connectedness explained lower suicide ideation and depression symptoms through everyday discrimination. Implications for behavioral health practices addressing race-based psychosocial stress, and directions for future research are discussed.