Reciprocal Relationships between Disrespect Sensitivity, Racial Discrimination, and Aggression in African American Youth

Abstract

African American youth are more likely to experience racial discrimination, which contributes to greater sensitivity to disrespect and aggressive behavior. However, little is known about possible reciprocal relationships among discrimination, disrespect sensitivity, and aggression. This study investigated these reciprocal relationships and whether they vary by sex in predominantly African American youth. A total of 75 urban adolescents (52% female; 97% African American) reported on perceived disrespect sensitivity, racial discrimination, and aggression at two time points (average ages 16.1, SD = 1.11 and 17.8, SD = 1.14). Results from an autoregressive cross-lagged model indicated that racial discrimination at age 16 predicted greater disrespect sensitivity at age 18, whereas greater disrespect sensitivity predicted lower levels of racial discrimination over time. Analyses of sex differences showed that sensitivity to disrespect predicted lower levels of racial discrimination more strongly in females compared to males. These findings may inform interventions for African American adolescents who experience racial discrimination.