Racial Discrimination and Oral Health in Immigrant Adolescents
Author Information
Author(s): Saluja Priyanka, Bohlouli Babak, Hoglund Wendy, Amin Maryam
Primary Institution: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
Hypothesis
Perceived racial discrimination negatively impacts oral health behaviours, and resilience moderates this association.
Conclusion
Perceived racial discrimination was linked to poorer oral health behaviours, but resilience did not moderate this relationship.
Supporting Evidence
- 76% of participants reported experiences of racial discrimination.
- An increase in discrimination distress was associated with a 51% lower likelihood of rating oral health as good.
- The odds of brushing teeth more than twice a day decreased by 58% with increased discrimination distress.
Takeaway
This study found that when immigrant teens feel discriminated against because of their race, they tend to take worse care of their teeth, but being resilient doesn't help them cope with this issue.
Methodology
This cross-sectional study used questionnaires to assess demographics, oral health behaviours, perceived racial discrimination, and resilience among adolescents aged 12 to 18 from immigrant backgrounds.
Potential Biases
Self-reported data may be subject to recall and desirability biases.
Limitations
The study's cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, and reliance on self-reported data may introduce biases.
Participant Demographics
Participants were adolescents aged 12 to 18, with a mean age of 15.3 years, 56% female, and diverse ethnic backgrounds including Indian, Filipino, Chinese, and African.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 0.29–0.81
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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