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Racial and Gender Discrimination Predict Mental Health Outcomes among Healthcare Workers Beyond Pandemic-Related Stressors: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Survey

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  • Rachel Hennein

    (Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
    Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA)

  • Jessica Bonumwezi

    (Department of Psychology, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ 07043, USA)

  • Max Jordan Nguemeni Tiako

    (Department of Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA)

  • Petty Tineo

    (Department of Psychology, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ 07043, USA)

  • Sarah R. Lowe

    (Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA)

Abstract

Racial and gender discrimination are risk factors for adverse mental health outcomes in the general population; however, the effects of discrimination on the mental health of healthcare workers needs to be further explored, especially in relation to competing stressors. Thus, we administered a survey to healthcare workers to investigate the associations between perceived racial and gender discrimination and symptoms of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and burnout during a period of substantial stressors related to the COVID-19 pandemic and a national racial reckoning. We used multivariable linear regression models, which controlled for demographics and pandemic-related stressors. Of the 997 participants (Mean Age = 38.22 years, SD = 11.77), 688 (69.01%) were White, 148 (14.84%) Asian, 86 (8.63%) Black, 73 (7.32%) Latinx, and 21 (2.11%) identified as another race. In multivariable models, racial discrimination predicted symptoms of depression (B = 0.04; SE: 0.02; p = .009), anxiety (B = 0.05; SE: 0.02; p = .004), and posttraumatic stress (B = 0.01; SE: 0.01; p = .006) and gender discrimination predicted posttraumatic stress (B = 0.11; SE: 0.05; p = .013) and burnout (B = 0.24; SE: 0.07; p = .001). Discrimination had indirect effects on mental health outcomes via inadequate social support. Hospital-wide diversity and inclusion initiatives are warranted to mitigate the adverse mental health effects of discrimination.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachel Hennein & Jessica Bonumwezi & Max Jordan Nguemeni Tiako & Petty Tineo & Sarah R. Lowe, 2021. "Racial and Gender Discrimination Predict Mental Health Outcomes among Healthcare Workers Beyond Pandemic-Related Stressors: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:17:p:9235-:d:627216
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    References listed on IDEAS

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