Racial differences in internalizing and externalizing behaviors: Comparison among Black, Latinx, and Asian American youth

This study examined racial differences in internalizing and externalizing behaviors among three racial minority youth in poor and disadvantaged urban communities in Chicago. Using the Youth Self-Report (YSR) on internalizing behaviors and externalizing behavior problems, this study analyzed a one-way between-subjects ANOVA and found no significant racial differences in internalizing behavioral problems among three racial minority youth. However, in externalizing behaviors, Black youth were in a precarious position of reporting more behavioral issues, particularly aggressive behavior and delinquency, than Latinx or Asian American youth. Latinx youth also showed a higher prevalence of delinquency in externalizing behaviors compared to Asian American youth group. Service providers who work with racial minority youth need to acknowledge racial differences in youth internalizing and externalizing behavioral issues. The findings suggest further research to identify other risk factors for racial differences in youth's emotional and behavioral problems.