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. 2021 Nov;56(11):2029-2039.
doi: 10.1007/s00127-021-02097-7. Epub 2021 Apr 30.

Air pollution and trajectories of adolescent conduct problems: the roles of ethnicity and racism; evidence from the DASH longitudinal study

A Karamanos  1 , I Mudway  2   3 , F Kelly  2   3 , S D Beevers  2   3 , D Dajnak  2   3 , C Elia  4 , J K Cruickshank  4 , Y Lu  4 , S Tandon  5 , E Enayat  6 , P Dazzan  7 , M Maynard  8 , S Harding  4   5
Affiliations

Air pollution and trajectories of adolescent conduct problems: the roles of ethnicity and racism; evidence from the DASH longitudinal study

A Karamanos et al. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2021 Nov.

Abstract

Purpose: No known UK empirical research has investigated prospective associations between ambient air pollutants and conduct problems in adolescence. Ethnic minority children are disproportionately exposed to structural factors that could moderate any observed relationships. This prospective study examined whether exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations is associated with conduct problems in adolescence, and whether racism or ethnicity moderate such associations.

Methods: Longitudinal associations between annual mean estimated PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations at the residential address and trajectories of conduct problems, and the potential influence of racism and ethnicity were examined school-based sample of 4775 participants (2002-2003 to 2005-2006) in London, using growth curve models.

Results: Overall, in the fully adjusted model, exposure to lower concentrations of PM2.5 and NO2 was associated with a decrease in conduct problems during adolescence, while exposure to higher concentrations was associated with a flattened trajectory of conduct symptoms. Racism amplified the effect of PM2.5 (β = 0.05 (95% CI 0.01 to 0.10, p < 0.01)) on adolescent trajectories of conduct problems over time. At higher concentrations of PM2.5, there was a divergence of trajectories of adolescent conduct problems between ethnic minority groups, with White British and Black Caribbean adolescents experiencing an increase in conduct problems over time.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that the intersections between air pollution, ethnicity, and racism are important influences on the development of conduct problems in adolescence.

Keywords: Air pollution; Cohort study; Conduct problems; Ethnicity; Racism.

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Conceptual framework of the association between residential air pollution and conduct problems
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Predicted conduct problem trajectories by self-reported racism and PM2.5 concentration level (Model 5). Predictions are plotted as below average (PM2.5 < 17.7 mg/m3) and above average (PM2.5 > 17.7 mg/m3) for DASH participants who experienced racism and those who were not. Predictions were restricted between ages 12 and 16 years where measures of PM2.5 and conduct scores were more robust
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Predicted conduct problem trajectories by ethnicity and PM2.5 concentration level (Model 5). Predictions are plotted as below average (PM2.5 < 17.7 mg/m3) and above average (PM2.5 > 17.7 mg/m3) PM2.5 concentration level for each ethnic group. Predictions were restricted between ages 12 and 16 years where measures of PM2.5 and conduct scores were more robust
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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