A recent study has revealed that more than half of adults in the United States report experiencing some form of discrimination. This widespread phenomenon appears to significantly heighten the risk of developing depression and anxiety. This new research suggests that the psychological burden of such experiences is not evenly distributed across society but is instead shaped by a constellation of cultural, social, and systemic influences that affect different racial and ethnic groups in distinctive ways. The findings offer a broader understanding of how subtle yet persistent mistreatment can harm mental health, moving beyond conventional narratives that focus exclusively on specific populations.
Discrimination, especially in its everyday manifestations, has increasingly been identified as a key contributor to poor mental health. Unlike overt acts of racism or prejudice, everyday discrimination refers to subtle, routine interactions in which individuals are treated with disrespect, ignored, or subjected to hostile behaviour—experiences that often pass unchallenged yet leave lasting psychological impressions. A growing body of academic literature has explored how such experiences may cumulatively degrade mental well-being. This new study, carried out by researchers at Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) and Brown University, builds on that foundation by examining the impact of discriminatory experiences across a broad swathe of the U.S. adult population.
Published in JAMA Network Open, the study analysed data collected in 2023 from nearly 30,000 adults aged 18 or older. The sample was statistically weighted to represent more than 258 million U.S. adults, making the study one of the most comprehensive investigations of discrimination’s mental health effects. The researchers used standardised instruments to assess the frequency of discrimination as well as symptoms of depression and anxiety. Respondents reported whether they had been mistreated, received poor service, or felt harassed, and they also answered questions indicating psychological distress, such as persistent sadness, hopelessness, worry, or restlessness.
The results paint a sobering picture: over 55 per cent of U.S. adults indicated they had experienced some form of discrimination, and 3.6 per cent reported experiencing high levels of it. Those who encountered high levels of discrimination were found to be more than five times as likely to screen positive for depression and five times as likely to show signs of anxiety. Even more alarmingly, adults who had experienced discrimination were nearly nine times more likely to screen positive for both conditions simultaneously compared to those who reported no such mistreatment. These trends held across genders, reinforcing the widespread reach of the issue.
However, the psychological toll of discrimination was particularly pronounced among multiracial, White, and Asian adults—groups that have historically received less attention in research on racial discrimination and mental health. These findings suggest that discrimination exerts harmful effects across the racial and ethnic spectrum, not only among traditionally marginalised communities. By broadening the frame of reference, the study sheds light on how people from all backgrounds can be vulnerable to mental health issues linked to discriminatory treatment, although in different and often context-specific ways.
Further analysis revealed that high levels of discrimination were most prevalent among Black adults, followed by individuals who identified as multiracial or belonging to other racial categories, then Hispanic or Latino adults, White adults, and finally Asian adults. Additionally, discrimination was more frequently reported among women, immigrants, and individuals living with disadvantages such as physical disabilities, obesity, or food insecurity. These intersecting factors reveal how discrimination can compound other forms of social vulnerability, intensifying the impact on mental health.
The researchers suggest that various mechanisms might underlie these patterns. Multiracial individuals, for example, may contend with unique challenges related to navigating multiple racial identities, leading to feelings of exclusion or confusion about social belonging. White individuals, while not traditionally framed as targets of racial discrimination, may nonetheless suffer from prejudice tied to socioeconomic status, educational attainment, or rural versus urban divides. Asian adults may face anxiety and depression due to language barriers or the pressures of the “model minority” stereotype, which erroneously assumes success and thus overlooks real struggles.
“These are not imagined harms,” says Dr. Marie-Rachelle Narcisse, senior author and assistant professor of psychiatry and human behaviour at Brown University. “Studies have shown that discrimination shapes mental health most deeply when it goes unacknowledged. I hope our findings generate greater awareness. In awareness, there is strength—and with strength comes the capacity to seek healing in a more intentional way.” Her remarks underscore the importance of recognising and naming these experiences, as failure can deepen psychological wounds and deter individuals from seeking help.
At the same time, the study’s authors stress that their findings should not be misconstrued as minimising the mental health consequences of discrimination for Black, Hispanic, or Latino populations. These groups continue to face deeply entrenched barriers to health and well-being rooted in systemic racism and historical oppression. Instead, the study aims to widen the conversation and promote a more inclusive approach to understanding how discrimination affects all communities. “Our results are a powerful reminder that discrimination is everyone’s issue,” says Dr. Monica Wang, the study’s lead author and associate professor of community health sciences at BUSPH. “Addressing it is not just about protecting specific communities—it benefits society as a whole.”
More information: Monica Wang et al, Discrimination, Depression, and Anxiety Among US Adults, JAMA Network Open. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.2404
Journal information: JAMA Network Open Provided by Boston University School of Public Health
