Discrimination experiences and mental health outcomes among African American homeless smokers

Daily discrimination experiences are associated with both the physical and psychological well-being among African Americans (AAs). Little is known about the impact of daily discrimination on mental health among people experiencing homelessness (PEH), especially AA persons experiencing homelessness (AA PEH). In this study, we measured perceived discrimination, depression, and anxiety using the Everyday Discrimination Scale, the Centers for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7, respectively. Multivariable linear regression modeling was used, with depression and anxiety as outcome variables. We used a change in estimate approach to select the variables included in the final models between everyday discrimination and mental health outcomes of depression and anxiety. Participants (n = 100) reported race (43%) and homelessness (37%) as the main reasons for discrimination experiences. After adjusting for anxiety, age, and education, everyday discrimination was significantly associated with depression scores (b = 0.187; CI: 0.01, 0.37; p = 0.04). Everyday discrimination may be associated with depressive symptoms among AA PEH. Future research should further examine the association between diverse forms of discrimination and mental health outcomes among AA PEH and explore effective coping strategies tailored to this subgroup. Interventions to reduce the occurrence and impact of discrimination experiences may be warranted for AA PEH.