Exploring how racial discrimination affects substance use in Black college students
Official title: Ecological Momentary Assessment of Mechanisms Linking Racial Discrimination and Substance Use in Black College Students
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11004352 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how experiences of racial discrimination affect substance use among Black college students at mostly white schools, gathering real-time information to better understand their daily challenges and help improve support for their mental health and well-being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $38,901 |
| NIH project number | 5R36DA059676-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11004352 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Black college students enrolled at Predominantly White Institutions who experience racial discrimination.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Black or are not college students at PWIs may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between racial discrimination and substance use among Black college students attending Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). By utilizing ecological momentary assessment, the study collects real-time data on students' experiences of discrimination and their substance use behaviors. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of how these factors fluctuate in daily life, particularly in the context of the unique stressors faced by these students. The research aims to provide insights that could inform interventions to support mental health and substance use prevention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted interventions that help reduce substance use and improve mental health outcomes for Black college students.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that real-time assessments can effectively capture the dynamics of substance use behaviors, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peoples, Janiene — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Peoples, Janiene
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.