Perceived discrimination and mental health in the Japanese general population

Abstract

Background: Research has shown that discrimination is prevalent in many countries and associated with poorer mental health. However, little is known about discrimination and its effects in Japan. Aims: To address this deficit this study examined the association between perceived discrimination and mental health outcomes in the Japanese general population and the role of general stress in these associations. Method: Data were analyzed from 1,245 individuals (age 18–89) that were collected in an online survey in 2021. Perceived discrimination was assessed with a single-item measure as was lifetime suicidal ideation. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were respectively measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale. General stress was assessed with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14). Logistic regression was used to assess associations. Results: Perceived discrimination was prevalent (31.6%) in the study sample. In fully adjusted analyses discrimination was associated with all of the mental health outcomes/general stress with odds ratios (ORs) ranging from 2.78 (suicidal ideation) to 6.09 (general stress) among individuals with a high level of discrimination. When the analyses were adjusted for general stress (as a continuous score) there was a large reduction in the ORs although high discrimination continued to be significantly associated with anxiety (OR: 2.21), while a mid level of discrimination was related to depressive symptoms (OR: 1.87) and had a borderline association with suicidal ideation. Conclusion: Perceived discrimination is common in the Japanese general population and associated with worse mental health, with stress possibly playing a role in this association.