Exploring how Black adolescents cope with racial discrimination and its effects on mental health

A Physiological Approach to Examining the Role of Racial Coping on Mental Health Among Black Adolescents

NIH-funded research Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-10910876

This study looks at how racial discrimination affects the mental health of Black teens and explores the ways they cope with these challenges, aiming to understand how good coping strategies can help reduce feelings of depression and anxiety.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVirginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Richmond, United States)
Project IDNIH-10910876 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of racial discrimination on the mental health of Black adolescents, focusing on how they cope with these experiences. It employs a multi-method approach to understand the nature of racial coping, identify cultural parenting processes that influence coping strategies, and examine how effective coping can mitigate the negative effects of racial stress on mental health outcomes such as depression and anxiety. By gathering data through various methods, the research aims to provide insights into the psychological challenges faced by Black youth and the role of their coping mechanisms.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are Black adolescents aged 12 to 20 who have experienced racial discrimination.

Not a fit: Patients who do not identify as Black or who have not experienced racial discrimination may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health interventions tailored for Black adolescents facing racial discrimination.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding coping mechanisms in minority populations can lead to significant improvements in mental health outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Richmond, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.