Considering Multiracial Youth: Identity Challenges and Health Outcomes

There are overarching and well-documented health disparities between racial majority and minority groups. Yet, the Multiracial population, or those claiming membership to more than one racial group, has been largely excluded from health disparities research. This chapter discusses the impact of monoracial ideological, political, and clinical practices on medical research about Multiracial youth. Additionally, this chapter reviews challenges that monoracism presents to Multiracial people, such as interpersonal/intergroup and systemic/institutional barriers, and provides recommendations for pediatric health professionals to mitigate harm stemming from these experiences. Keywords: Multiracial, identity challenges, identity flexibility