The effects of identity-based discrimination on young people in the global south: evidence review

Abstract

It is well established that identity-based discrimination has adverse effects on people's health and wellbeing although less comprehensive evidence exists about these effects on young people. It is also clear that most of this evidence emanates from Global North contexts. A rapid review of published studies from the Global South was conducted looking at the effects of six areas of discrimination (disability, sexual orientation, geography, gender, race/ethnicity, and religion). Following the initial identification of nearly 10,000 studies, and using PRISMA guidelines, 55 studies were included in the analysis. The adverse effects of discrimination were then compared with the six domains for youth health and wellbeing as described by the Gender and Adolescence Global Evidence (GAGE) framework, namely psychosocial, bodily integrity, educational, physical health, economic empowerment, and voice-agency outcomes. The majority of included studies reviewed, reported mainly on the adverse psychosocial outcomes of discrimination. While some reported adverse bodily integrity, educational, and physical health outcomes, very few studies reported on economic disempowerment or voice-agency impediments because of discrimination.