Future directions in research on institutional and interpersonal discrimination and children's health

Abstract

Research evidence indicates that 2 forms of racial discrimination - perceived interpersonal discrimination and racial/ethnic residential segregation (a form of institutional discrimination) - may influence children's health and disparities. Although research on these 2 forms of discrimination and health has primarily focused on adults, smaller bodies of work have documented that perceived interpersonal discrimination and segregation have a negative effect on infants' health, and that perceived interpersonal discrimination may negatively affect children's mental health. Three directions for research are (1) incorporating a life-course perspective into studies of discrimination and children's health, (2) linking residential segregation with geographyof- opportunity conceptual frameworks and measures, and (3) considering residential segregation along with segregation in other contexts that influence children's health (e.g., schools).