School racial composition and race/ethnic differences in early adulthood health

Authors

Bridget J. Goosby, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Katrina M. Walsemann, University of South Carolina - ColumbiaFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

10-2011

Comments

Published in Health & Place 2011; doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2011.10.002 Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. Used by permission.

Abstract

We investigate whether school racial composition is associated with racial and ethnic differences in early adult health. We then examine whether perceived discrimination, social connectedness, and parent support attenuates this relationship. Using U.S. data from Waves I and IV of the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health, we found that black adolescents attending predominantly white schools reported poorer adult health while Asians reported better health. Further research is warranted to understand whether there are qualitative differences in the treatment of racial and ethnic minorities within certain school contexts and how that differential treatment is related to adult health outcomes.