Abstract:

The mental health of African American (AA) families and youth in affordable housing in under-resourced communities can have a profoundly significant adverse influence on the educational performance of youth. In these environments, socioeconomic challenges and systemic inequities are catalysts that stymie the mental health and well-being of family units. The mental health and well-being among under-resourced communities of AA families and youth is a critical determinant of the educational outcomes. Moreover, many AA parents residing in affordable housing communities frequently experience undiagnosed and untreated mental health issues. The latter observation is coupled with AA parental struggles to provide stable and nurturing home environments conducive for learning. Further, such conditions inadvertently transmit signals of stress, anxiety, etc. to their youth. Moreover, youth are often contending with their own mental health challenges that become formidable barriers to their academic success. Symptoms such as depression, trauma, social alienation, etc. can produce negative impediments that are barriers to cognitive functioning and engagement in schools. Moreover, the pervasive stigma surrounding mental health within these communities often exacerbates the problem and inhibits access to much-needed support and resources. As a result, the interplay between parental and youth mental health issues in under-resourced AA families and youth in affordable housing communities underscores the urgent need for holistic interventions that address systemic barriers to healthcare and foster environments supportive of mental health well-being. If pursued, appropriate action will unlock the academic potential of the present and next generation of youths.

This study was guided by the following research questions:
1) To what extent do significant differences exist that are attributable to parental mental health status and educational disparities among AA youth residing in affordable housing?
2) To what extent do significant differences exist that are attributable to parental mental health status, youth mental health status, and educational disparities among AA youth residing in affordable housing?
3) To what extent do significant differences exist that are attributable to parental mental health status, youth mental health status, familial environmental support, and educational disparities among AA youth residing in affordable housing?

A multivariate correlational research design was developed for the current study. Systematic random samples of secondary data from AA households (N = 500) were generated from the Household Pulse Survey published by the U. S. Census Bureau. In addition, geographical sub-samples were disaggregated for the Northeast, Far West, Midwest, and Southern regions of the U.S. Samples of secondary data were analyzed using the forward stepwise Multinomial Logistic Regression Analysis statistical method. Major findings indicated that AA families and youth living in affordable housing had similar adverse experiences with mental health issues and educational disparities despite differences between groups in socioeconomic and educational attainment.

Keywords:

Mental health disparities, education disparities, affordable public housing, African Americans, under resourced communities, health disparities.