More evidence that racism and discrimination are ACEs

Two new studies from the University of California in Los Angeles Center on Culture add to the growing body of evidence demonstrating that experiencing racism and discrimination contribute to a cumulative burden that is linked to psychological distress and PTSD. 

"In the first study, researchers asked 500 low-income African American and Hispanic men and women to self-report various measures of stress and mental health, including experiences of discrimination, childhood violence, poverty and trauma. Using structural equation modeling -- statistical methods designed to test a concept or theory -- they found a correlation between the cumulative burden of these adversities and the likelihood the subjects would later experience psychological distress. They also found that the greater people's overall burden of these experiences over their lifetime, the greater the likelihood that they would experience more severe symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD."

The second study was led by first author Honghu Liu, a professor in the UCLA School of Dentistry. Working with the five domains, the researchers used regression modeling -- a statistical process for estimating relationships among variables -- to develop the LADS, a set of questions health care providers can use to screen patients for the effects of adversity and trauma.

"Given the utility and ease of use, LADS could be effective as a screening tool to identify ethnic and racial minority individuals in primary care settings who have a high trauma burden, and who need more extensive evaluation," said Liu, who is an expert in the design of research studies, data analysis and statistical modeling. "We feel it will capture experiences that could be missed with current screening approaches. This could optimize affordable care as it strives to improve prevention of mental health problems."

Another earlier study conducted by the Philadelphia ACE Project found similar results when questions about childhood experiences of discrimination and poverty were added to the original 10 ACE questions.