Adolescents’ Daily Race-Related Online Experiences and Mental Health Outcomes

What is the frequency of online race-related experiences and are positive and negative experiences online associated with mental health outcomes?Results of this longitudinal 7-day daily diary survey study including 141 adolescents showed that they reported a total of 6 online race-related experiences per day, including 3.2 that are considered online racism and 2.8 that are positive. Online racism was associated with poor next-day mental health outcomes.These findings suggest adolescents report both online racism and positive race-related experiences, where they may learn about their racial or ethnic group’s survival despite difficult historical events; only online racism was associated with poor mental health.

Corresponding Author: Brendesha M. Tynes, PhD, Center for Empowered Learning and Development with Technology, University of Southern California, 3470 Trousdale Pkwy, WPH 1004A, Los Angeles, CA 90089 (btynes@usc.edu).

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