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Exploring Racial Disparities in Mental Health: A Study on the Severity of Comorbid Substance Use and Depression
Elijah Woodson
Faculty Mentor: Alissa Mrazek, PhD
Depression and substance use disorders (SUDs) share and exacerbate each other’s symptoms creating a complex relationship known as comorbidity. The increasing prevalence of both is a pressing issue resulting in higher mortality rates and decreased individual well-being. However, the severity of these comorbid disorders and how they vary across racial groups is poorly understood. For decades, the United States has employed systemically inequitable practices that continue to negatively impact racial minorities. This study used data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). A linear regression was used to examine the relationship between race and the severity of comorbid SUD and depression, as well as depression severity and SUD severity. Results revealed that Black people do not experience greater severity in comorbid substance use and depression compared to other racial groups, however, race did significantly predict comorbid SUD and depression severity. Additionally, Native American/Alaskan Natives had significantly higher depression severity and SUD severity than other racial groups. In contrast, Asian individuals experienced significantly lower SUD severity than the other racial groups. These findings indicate that Native American/Alaska Natives experience the greatest depression severity and SUD severity, and Asian people experience the lowest SUD severity, while no racial group experiences significantly different severity in comorbid SUD and depression. Future research should explore severity rates in other comorbid pairs, examine the impact of geographic factors, and examine the relationship between severity and mental health treatment utilization.