Racial Discrimination Experienced by Aboriginal University Students in Canada

• Published in: Canadian journal of psychiatry 2012-10, Vol.57 (10), p.617-625
• Main Authors: Currie, Cheryl L, Wild, T Cameron, Schopflocher, Donald P, Laing, Lory, Veugelers, Paul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; African Americans; African Americans - psychology; American Native Continental Ancestry Group - psychology; Biological and medical sciences; Canada - ethnology; Cross-Cultural Comparison; Cultural Characteristics; Female; Hispanic Americans - psychology; Humans; Inuit; Male; Medical research; Medical sciences; Mental disorders; Mental Health - ethnology; Mental health care; Middle Aged; Native North Americans; Native peoples; Prejudice - ethnology; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Racial discrimination; Racism - ethnology; Racism - psychology; Research Design; Social Adjustment; Stress, Psychological - ethnology; Stress, Psychological - etiology; Students - psychology; Studies; United States - ethnology; Universities; University students; Urban areas
• ISSN: 0706-7437; 1497-0015
• DOI: 10.1177/070674371205701006

Objectives: Racial discrimination is an established life course social determinant of health associated with adverse psychological outcomes among minority populations. However, little is known about the extent to which Aboriginal people in Canada may experience racial discrimination and consequent adverse psychological effects. This study sought to measure the extent to which Aboriginal university students living in an urban area of Canada experienced racism, to triangulate this evidence with US data and qualitative findings, and to examine the impact of these experiences on mental health. Methods: Data for this mixed method study were collected via in-person surveys with a volunteer sample of Aboriginal university students (n = 60) living in a mid-sized city in central Canada in 2008–2009. Results: Results indicate Aboriginal university students experienced more frequent racism across a greater number of life situations than African- and Latino-American adults in the United States. Student reactions to these experiences were symptomatic of what has been termed racial battle fatigue in the United States. Students who considered themselves traditional or cultural Aboriginal persons were significantly more likely to experience discrimination. Conclusions: Results underline the need for policies aimed at reducing racism directed at Aboriginal people in urban areas and the growth of services to help Aboriginal people cope with these experiences. Results highlight the need for further research to determine the potential pathogenic consequences of racial discrimination for Aboriginal people in Canada.