Structural community anti-Black racism is contributing to lower therapeutic outcomes, finds study

A new study finds that community-level racism leads many Black young people to experience less benefit from talking therapy.

Previous studies have found that anti-Black racism has a significant detrimental impact on the mental health of those affected. This impact is experienced across three different levels internally (in low self-esteem due to internalised racial stereotypes), interpersonally (e.g., being called a racist slur), and structurally (i.e., broader attitudes enshrined in law or politics). Although few have examined whether racism affects intervention efficacy.

The meta-analytic study is the first to assess whether structural racism is associated with psychotherapeutic efficiency. To analyse this relationship, the research team used data on anti-Black racist attitudes to measure US state-level structural racism and analysed randomised controlled trial data from youth psychotherapy studies.

Findings suggested that psychotherapeutic interventions in US states with higher levels of structural anti-Black racism were less effective.

Implicit bias training and culturally responsive care are necessary to improve psychological healthcare outcomes

Dr Maggi Price, an Assistant Professor at the Boston College School of Social Work, summarised the findings of the research:

 “The extent to which racism or other prejudicial attitudes are endorsed in a given community – such as a neighbourhood or a state – varies across the country. Our study found that the level of racism in one’s community affects how well one does in mental health treatment.” 

She added that providers can deal with this problem by incorporating advocacy in their work and addressing stigma in treatment “to eliminate racist disciplinary practices or to integrate implicit bias training to help teachers to be more aware of their biases.”

“Many training programs don’t prepare providers to adequately address stigma and identity with patients. We need to enhance training in culturally responsive care, including how to address racism, sexism, and other stigmas in treatment. Doing so is essential and will help us better serve our patients.”

To find out more about how mental health professionals can combat racist biases in services, on Wednesday 15th June, Mental Health Today will be conducting a FREE live webinar titled ‘Facing the reality of racial inequality in services and building a better one’. Discover more about the programme here.