Impact of Racism and Microaggressions on the Mental Health of U.S. Health Professions Higher Education

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: Intersectional Experiences in Higher Education

Abstract

This mixed-methods study synthesizes racialized students’ voices to help higher-education administrators provide more inclusive spaces. A voluntary, anonymous survey was distributed to medical school applicants. Self-reported incidents of racism, and any resulting mental health and/or academic difficulties were reported.

The response rate was 34% (744/1814). 55% of respondents experienced racism. Racialized persons were 10-11 times more likely to experience subsequent depression and/or anxiety or decreased academic performance.

Participants described ‘institutional barriers racialized persons face’ and ‘ways administrators can improve equity’ through open-text response. Seven ‘barriers’ and four ‘improvement’ sub-themes were synthesized through thematic analysis. The synthesis and excerpts provided serve administrators towards finding inclusive solutions to institutional barriers.

Authors

• Nimo Jama, Altus Assessments

• Alexander MacIntosh, Altus Assessments