The Influence of Identity on Multiracial Emerging Adults' Health and Experiences Seeking Healthcare in the United States: a Qualitative Study.

Background: The Multiracial population, defined as having parents who are of two or more racial groups, increased from 2.9% of the United States population in 2010 to 10.2% in 2020. Existing research focused on monoracial populations shows that racial disparities and discrimination affect health. This study explores how emerging adults ages 18-29, who identify as Multiracial, describe the impact of identity on their health and experiences seeking health care in the United States.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 participants in May 2021. Interview guide categories were the following: health and wellbeing, racial/ethnic identification, childhood upbringing, family influence, peer engagement, discrimination, forming resilience, language, and demographics. A thematic framework analysis was utilized.
Results: Overarching themes were as follows: mental health and Multiracial identity-related stress, childhood experiences, healthcare experiences, influences on seeking or not seeking care, and the impact of identity on physical health. Our findings suggest that Multiracial emerging adults perceive their identity to influence mental health more than physical health.
Conclusion: Multiracial emerging adults face challenges with healthcare that are unique (e.g., discrimination based on identity defined or perceived by others) and others that are similar to their monoracial counterparts (e.g., structural racism, access to care). This study illustrates how structural factors trickle down to influence care sought and accessibility via socioeconomic status, insurance, childhood experiences, and racial and cultural beliefs about healthcare. Increased awareness and identification of Multiracial individuals and diversity in the workforce may help the US healthcare system better serve Multiracial emerging adults.
Competing Interests: Declarations Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate This study was approved by the Columbia University Irving Medical Center Institutional Review Board. Verbal consent was obtained at the start of each interview; written informed consent was waived by the IRB. Competing Interests The authors declare no competing interests.
(© 2023. W. Montague Cobb-NMA Health Institute.)