背景:多种族人口,定义为有两个或两个以上种族群体的父母,从2010年占美国人口的2.9%增加到2020年的10.2%。针对单一人群的现有研究表明,种族差异和歧视会影响健康。这项研究探讨了18-29岁的新兴成年人是如何被认定为多种族的,描述身份认同对他们的健康和在美国寻求医疗保健的经历的影响。
方法:2021年5月对21名参与者进行了半结构化访谈。面试指南类别如下:健康和福祉,种族/民族认同,童年的成长,家庭影响,同行参与,歧视,形成韧性,语言,和人口统计。利用了专题框架分析。
结果:总体主题如下:心理健康和多种族身份相关压力,童年的经历,医疗保健经验,对寻求或不寻求护理的影响,以及身份认同对身体健康的影响。我们的发现表明,多种族新兴成年人认为他们的身份比身体健康更能影响心理健康。
结论:多种族新兴成年人面临着独特的医疗保健挑战(例如,基于他人定义或感知的身份的歧视)和与他人相似的其他身份(例如,结构性种族主义,获得护理)。这项研究说明了结构性因素如何通过社会经济地位影响所寻求的护理和可及性,保险,童年的经历,以及关于医疗保健的种族和文化信仰。提高对多种族个体的认识和识别以及劳动力的多样性可能有助于美国医疗保健系统更好地为多种族新兴成年人服务。
BACKGROUND: The Multiracial population, defined as having parents who are of two or more racial groups, increased from 2.9% of the United States population in 2010 to 10.2% in 2020. Existing research focused on monoracial populations shows that racial disparities and discrimination affect health. This
study explores how emerging adults ages 18-29, who identify as Multiracial, describe the impact of identity on their health and experiences seeking health care in the United States.
METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 participants in May 2021. Interview guide categories were the following: health and wellbeing, racial/ethnic identification, childhood upbringing, family influence, peer engagement, discrimination, forming resilience, language, and demographics. A thematic framework analysis was utilized.
RESULTS: Overarching themes were as follows: mental health and Multiracial identity-related stress, childhood experiences, healthcare experiences, influences on seeking or not seeking care, and the impact of identity on physical health. Our findings suggest that Multiracial emerging adults perceive their identity to influence mental health more than physical health.
CONCLUSIONS: Multiracial emerging adults face challenges with healthcare that are unique (e.g., discrimination based on identity defined or perceived by others) and others that are similar to their monoracial counterparts (e.g., structural racism, access to care). This
study illustrates how structural factors trickle down to influence care sought and accessibility via socioeconomic status, insurance, childhood experiences, and racial and cultural beliefs about healthcare. Increased awareness and identification of Multiracial individuals and diversity in the workforce may help the US healthcare system better serve Multiracial emerging adults.