Experiences of discrimination and the mental health of Black military service members
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[EMBARGOED UNTIL 12/01/2026] Although extant research about the United States military emphasizes the mental health of military service members and veterans, there is a paucity of research on the relationship between discrimination and the mental health of service members. Many have greatly emphasized the importance of understanding race and the racialization of the U.S. especially its impact on health. Yet, the impact of racism and discrimination are severely understudied in the military. This dissertation utilized critical sociological frameworks, extensive literature, and restricted data from the Department of Defense to examine the pervasive racial inequalities in the military. This dissertation examined how the military reproduces racial inequalities, and examined how discrimination affects anxiety, depression, morale and work stress in Black service members. Findings indicated that discrimination was associated with negative mental health outcomes and higher career stress. This study underscores the impact of racial discrimination on mental health. Moreover, this research contributes to the developing studies of race relations and mental health in the military.
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Ph. D.