What To Know About Mental Health In Multiracial Families
According to the most recent U.S. Census, in 2020, . This represents a significant increase from 9 million people (2.9% of the population) in 2010.
According to Mental Health America, believing it makes them more open to other cultures. However, people with a multiracial identity may have higher rates of mental illness than their monoracial counterparts. Below, we’ll explore these mental health challenges and how they relate to people’s various multiracial experiences.
What does it mean to be multiracial?
Before we can understand mental health among multiracial populations, it may help to explore what it means to be multiracial.
Definition of “multiracial” people
Merriam-Webster defines multiracial as “composed of, involving, or representing various races” or “having parents or ancestors of different races.” These definitions are in line with how many people hear the term “mixed-race” used, which is to describe people whose families represent different racial groups. On the other hand, the term “monoracial” is sometimes used to describe people from just one race.
Racial categories in the United States
The United States Census Bureau defines multiracial as belonging to two or more races. The racial categories provided on the census include:
- White
- Black or African American
- American Indian or Alaska Native
- Asian
- Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
- Some Other Race (for people who identify as part of other racial groups)
Complexities of racial identity
It may be worth noting that these definitions are not universal. As the Pew Research Center points out, as many as 61% of people with a mixed-race background don’t consider themselves part of multiple races. People may also have different ways of looking at racial, ethnic, and cultural groups. For example, the Pew Research Center finds that although the term “Hispanic” is often treated as an ethnic identity, it can be common for Hispanic individuals to treat it as part of their racial background.
Therefore, racial and ethnic identity formation can be complex. Not everyone from a mixed-race family identifies the same way, and definitions can be fluid. Understanding this may give us insight into some of the challenges that can come with having multiple racial identities.
Understanding multiracial experiences
Many people from multiple racial backgrounds continue to face challenges that can affect their mental health. A 2015 survey from the Pew Research Center found that people from multiracial families often experience racial discrimination. Of those surveyed:
- Over half reported being the subject of racial slurs or jokes.
- 33% had perceived discrimination from an employer due to their racial group.
- 30% reported being threatened or attacked.
- 25% reported being unfairly stopped by the police.
Discrimination
Some discrimination experiences may be unique to multiracial groups. For example, anti-miscegenation laws, which banned interracial marriage, existed in the United States until 1967, and federal laws protecting mixed-race marriage weren’t passed until 2022. In a 2016 study, people were more likely to show bias against images of mixed-race couples.
Social rejection of mixed-race families
According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, social rejection can be a common concern for people from mixed-race families. This can be a challenge, especially for multiracial adolescents, who may be working to understand their own racial identity.
Racial devaluation in multiracial families
Multiracial families may also experience challenges within the home. Racial devaluation is just one example. Racial devaluation can happen when someone in a mixed-race family express or shows negative beliefs about a certain racial group. This can negatively affect self-esteem and self-worth, for both multiracial adults and multiracial youth.
Examples of racial devaluation
As the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) explains:
- Siblings bully each other for their skin color, eye color, or facial features.
- Family members refuse to talk about issues related to systemic or structural racism.
- Family conflicts revolve around race.
- Multiracial children aren’t prepared to manage race-related issues outside the home.
These examples represent a sample of the challenges multiracial individuals and families can face.
A closer look at the challenges surrounding mental health in multiracial families
Studies suggest these experiences can negatively affect multiracial people’s mental health. In a 2022 study, researchers performed a systematic review of data on thousands of people from both multiracial and monoracial groups. They found that multiracial individuals tended to have poorer mental health outcomes than monoracial individuals. This may be due to factors like socioeconomic status and educational attainment. That said, more research may be needed to understand this relationship.
Common mental health concerns affecting mixed-race people
But what specific mental health challenges do mixed-race people face? In a study from 2023, researchers analyzed interview and survey data from more than 1,000 multiracial people. They found that their most common mental health concerns included:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Suicidal thoughts
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Support is available 24/7.
Getting support for mental health in multiracial families
Multiracial families often face unique challenges and mental health concerns, but with the right support, it may be possible for people from mixed-race backgrounds to maintain their mental health and psychological well-being. In the 2022 survey discussed above, researchers found that. (Protective factors are resources or traits that may lower the risk of mental illness.)
If you aren’t able to find support in your own community, or if you simply want to explore other forms of support, you might find therapy helpful. A licensed therapist may be able to help you explore your identity, learn to manage race-related stressors, and reduce symptoms of mental illness.
Online mental health support for mixed-race or multiracial people
Multiracial identities and challenges can be complex. Finding a therapist you’re comfortable exploring these topics with can take time. However, online therapy may make it easier to find the right fit. Platforms like BetterHelp match you with a licensed therapist based on your unique needs. They also let you change providers at any time, for any reason.
Effectiveness of online therapy
Studies show that online therapy can effectively treat mental health concerns that may be common among multiracial people. In a 2017 review, researchers analyzed existing mental health data from over 373 studies. They found that online therapy was an effective treatment for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, and other mental disorders.
Takeaway
Studies have found that having strong social support may lead to better mental health outcomes for multiracial people. If you need support related to race-related challenges or mental health, therapy might be an option worth considering. If you don’t feel comfortable with traditional in-person therapy, you might consider online therapy. Take the first step toward getting support with your mental health and contact BetterHelp today.
What are the struggles of biracial individuals?
People with a biracial background may undergo several challenges that people with a monoracial background do not. Individuals with a multiracial heritage may experience racial discrimination. The challenges surrounding one’s multicultural identity can be particularly hard for children. For example, biracial children may speak two different languages, while their peers only speak one
Biracial individuals may also be negatively impacted by health inequities, which make medical and mental health treatment less widely available to some racial and ethnic minorities. This can create or exacerbate health disparities.
How does mental health affect different cultures?
Different cultures experience mental health challenges in varying ways. For example, an individual with a monoracial background who develops depression may have a different mental health outcome than someone who identifies with two or more races. Additionally, the stigma surrounding mental health is more deeply entrenched in some cultures than others. This can impact community members’ willingness to pursue care.
How can race ethnicity culture influence mental health?
Race and ethnicity are connected to mental health in several ways. Communities with a diverse racial and ethnic composition often experience additional risk factors that can increase the likelihood of certain mental health conditions. These factors include racial disparities in mental health, problems with underrepresentation in research, and difficulties related to stigma. The influence of race and ethnicity on mental health can be particularly pronounced when an individual has a multiracial or multiethnic background. In one study, researchers found that multiracial young adults experience more negative mental health outcomes than people with a monoracial background.
What are the disadvantages of being multiracial?
People from multiracial and multiethnic populations can experience significant mental health challenges. According to a 2021-2023 survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, approximately one third of multiracial individuals reported experiencing a past-year mental illness.
Multiracial individuals generally experience poorer mental health than monoracial individuals. In a study titled “Examining Multiracial Youth in Context: Ethnic Identity Development and Mental Health Outcomes”, researchers found that multiracial students experienced higher levels of depression than monoracial students. Additionally, mental health inequalities mean that it can be harder for multiracial individuals to find proper care.
What is racial imposter syndrome?
Racial imposter syndrome involves challenges that arise out of a person’s racial identification. Racial imposter syndrome may occur, for example, when a person is multiracial and feels confused about how they fit in among the different communities to which they belong. In a multiracial mental health study, researchers found that a strong ethnic identity was associated with higher levels of self-esteem. Another study found that ethnic identity is a protective factor for perceived stress.
How does diversity impact mental health?
Racial disparities in the availability of mental health care are a notable way in which mental health and diversity are connected. An example of a health disparity is underrepresentation in research, which can hinder the treatment and understanding of mental health concerns in minority communities. To address this challenge, it can be important to create inclusive research methodologies. This may involve ensuring future research is tailored to people who speak different languages or conducting diversity training for public health professionals and researchers.
How can positive mental health be promoted across diverse cultures?
Ensuring people from all cultural backgrounds have the ability to utilize effective mental health services is key to fostering equity. Leaders can also create tailored mental health education programs that will reach diverse communities. Additionally, discussing wellness-related topics openly can help reduce the stigma that is often associated with mental health.
How to deal with being mixed-race?
Being multiracial can lead to certain challenges. Some people with a multiracial background struggle with their sense of self. Others may experience discrimination or feel alienated by their peers. In a study that used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, researchers found that individuals who are multiracial have a higher risk of health and behavioral challenges.
If you’re experiencing challenges related to racial identity, it can help to first embrace your uniqueness. Having a multicultural background can be an enriching experience, providing a unique perspective and the ability to embrace diverse traditions. It may also help to learn more about your family history and cultural background. Feeling connected to your family’s past can help you further develop your self-identity. Self-care can also be important if you’re experiencing mental health challenges related to being multiracial. Doing things that nourish your body and mind can help you feel better and build your self-worth.
What are the advantages of living in a multiracial society?
Multiracial communities can provide several benefits to those living in them. A multiracial experience can expose community members to different points of view, cultural traditions, and lifestyles. A multiracial community can also create a strong sense of belonging among citizens.
How can I support a culturally and linguistically diverse person with a mental health condition?
There are several ways to support a person with a multicultural background living with mental health difficulties. A good way to start may be to learn about the mental health disparities that exist between people with a multiracial background and those with a monoracial background. Learning about how being multiracial can affect mental health—such as difficulties regarding racial oppression and racial identification—may help you better understand their perspective. You may also want to learn more about the mental health concern they’re experiencing. Additionally, if they’re open to discussing their experience, you can have a conversation with them about how their background influences their wellness journey.
- Previous Article
- Next Article