University Research Finds Behavioral Problems of Multiracial Youth May Be Exaggerated

It has been widely believed that multiracial adolescents have more behavioral problems than African Americans and Whites because they are not accepted as peers by either ethnic groups. But research conducted by scholars at the University of Washington and the University of Chicago has found that the differences are not that great.

“People usually portray multiracial children as facing greater challenges growing up than single-race children,” said Yoonsun Choi, lead author and associate professor at the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration. “What we’re finding is that they do have an increased risk for problems with drugs and violence, but those problems aren’t as extensive as what has been found before. Maybe there’s a trend going on, where problems are declining for multiracial youth.”

The data, from a survey of 1,800 seventh and ninth graders, found that 55 percent of multiracial youths had tried alcohol compared to 47 percent of White youths. About 11 percent of multiracial youth reported that they had participated in violent behavior. This was about double the rate for Whites. However, socioeconomic factors such as income level and the marital status of their parents were found to be mitigating factors.

The research was published in the July issue of the Journal of Youth and Adolescence.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Get the JBHE Weekly Bulletin

Receive our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox

Latest News

California State University Sacramento Launches Black Honors College

Officially launching for the fall 2024 semester, the Black Honors College will support students from all backgrounds who study Black history, life, and culture by providing them with a specialized curriculum and mentoring opportunities.

Higher Education Gifts or Grants of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

In Memoriam: Norman B. Anderson, 1955-2024

Dr. Anderson was the assistant vice president for research and academic affairs at Florida State University at the time of his death. He had an extensive career in clinical psychology, which led him to become the first African American chief executive officer of the American Psychological Association.

Georgia State University Launches Program to Support Black Women in Tech

While Black women account for roughly 29 percent of the Georgia State University undergradaute student body, they represent only 10 percent of the university's computer science majors and 18 percent of the computer information systems majors.

Featured Jobs