Discrimination may increase rates of depression and anxiety in Black youth

In a new study, UGA researchers analyzed survey responses and brain imaging data to assess how the part of the brain that detects threats and regulates emotions, known as the amygdala, reacts under conditions simulating the experience of racial discrimination. Results suggest some Black youth are internalizing racial discrimination, which may increase their rates of depression and anxiety:

The analysis is part of a national study that followed over 1,500 Black American adolescents for three years. UGA researchers analyzed survey responses and brain imaging data to assess how the part of the brain that detects threats and regulates emotions, known as the amygdala, reacts under conditions simulating the experience of racial discrimination.

Published by JAMA Network Open, the study found that, for many of the participants, the amygdala essentially shuts down when faced with these negative images.

That deactivation of the amygdala causes some individuals to essentially internalize stressors rather than acting out. Bottling up those feelings comes at a steep price, according to the researchers. These participants reported higher levels of depression and anxiety than their peers.

Participants with high levels of activity in the amygdala during the experiment showed increased levels of problem behaviors, such as exhibiting anger or acting out.

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