TSSW professor to present on substance use and mental health disparities
Tulane University is proud to announce that Assistant Professor Audrey Hai, PhD, MSW, will represent the School of Social Work with her insightful research at the upcoming 2024 Annual Meeting of the Society for Research on Adolescence. The poster, titled "Socioeconomic Status Differences in U.S. Multiracial Adolescents' Substance Use and Mental Health Problems," delves into the nuanced interplay between socioeconomic status, race, and mental health outcomes among adolescents in the United States.
The annual meeting, which will be held in Chicago from April 18-20, 2024, promises to be a convergence of the foremost minds in adolescent psychology and sociology. Dr. Hai co-authored the presentation with Ai Bo, Catalina Lopez-Quintero, Laura Curren, and Amanda Elton.
Dr. Hai’s findings have the potential to inform targeted interventions, policies, and support systems aimed at mitigating the disparities faced by multiracial adolescents across socioeconomic strata.
The crux of their research lies in the examination of substance use and mental health disparities among non-Hispanic multiracial adolescents when juxtaposed with their White counterparts. Through meticulous analysis, Dr. Hai’s study has unveiled a stark reality: multiracial adolescents, particularly those within the high-income bracket, face significantly higher prevalence rates of cannabis use, illicit drug use, and major depressive episodes compared to their White peers. This revelation underscores the imperative of dissecting the intersectionality of race and socioeconomic status in understanding adolescent health outcomes. It challenges prevailing assumptions and demands a more nuanced approach to addressing the multifaceted needs of multiracial youth.
Dr. Hai’s findings have the potential to inform targeted interventions, policies, and support systems aimed at mitigating the disparities faced by multiracial adolescents across socioeconomic strata. Tulane’s School of Social Work is delighted to celebrate Dr. Hai in this achievement.
