A study published on June 24 examined the impact of everyday discrimination on mental health among young adults aged 18 to 28, using data from the University of Michigan’s Panel Study of Income Dynamics Transitioning to Adulthood Supplement. The research included 3,894 participants who reported their experiences with bias and mistreatment, such as poor customer service and questioning of their intelligence or trustworthiness.
Most young adults surveyed reported encountering such situations at least once. Among them, Black men and women experienced these incidents more frequently than white individuals, facing them at least once a week.
Participants also assessed their mental well-being, indicating how often they felt sad, nervous, hopeless, or worthless. The study found that even minor instances of discrimination, if persistent, can negatively affect mental health by early adulthood.
