Racial Discrimination and Mental Health Inequality in France

Giuliana Polo, Sapienza University of Rome

The study explores the impact of origin-based discrimination on mental health among immigrants and their descendants in France, addressing a significant gap in the literature. Drawing on data from the "Trajectories and Origins 2" (TeO2) survey, conducted by INSEE and INED, the analysis examines self-reported depression symptoms in relation to three key independent variables: origin-based discrimination, being target of racist insults, and affiliation with a discriminated group. Logistic regression models are applied to assess the association between these discrimination measures and depression symptoms across different groups based on gender, migrant generation, and age. Results indicate a strong relationship between origin-based discrimination and increased odds of reporting depression, particularly among women. The analysis also reveals that experiencing racist insults and being part of a discriminated group increase the likelihood of reporting depression symptoms, across both generations. Socioeconomic factors such as employment, education, and family structure also play a role in shaping mental health outcomes. These findings confirm the hypothesis that both personal and group-based discrimination are associated with adverse mental health effects. By focusing on the French context, this study provides crucial evidence on the mental health inequalities faced by immigrants, complementing existing research from other European nations and the U.S.

Keywords: Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination, Migrant Populations and Refugees, International Migration

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