The impact of skin color on mental and behavioral health in African American and latina adolescent girls: A review of the literature

Abstract

This chapter examines the current literature regarding the significance of skin color and colorism in the lives of African American adolescent girls and Latinas. Issues regarding how girls are socialized to adopt colorist attitudes, how those attitudes impact adolescent girls, and the detrimental health effects of colorism are explored. Concerns related to psychological well-being, behavioral health, and physical health outcomes are also addressed. Additional attention is paid to the dearth of literature on the topic and the importance of future research to address the issues faced by girls of these ethnic groups.