Exploring how racism affects attention and testing mindfulness for Black Americans
Official title: Racism's Effect on Attention Bias to Threat: Testing a Brief Mindfulness Intervention for Black Americans
Funded at University of Louisville · NIH-10874071 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stress from racial experiences affects how Black Americans pay attention to things that feel threatening, and it will also test if a short mindfulness meditation can help reduce that sensitivity; we're inviting 200 Black adults who have faced this kind of stress to participate and share their experiences.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $478,120 |
| NIH project number | 1R15MH134003-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10874071 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are Black adults aged 21 and older who have experienced race-related stress.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Black or have not experienced race-related stress may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how race-related stress impacts attention bias towards threatening stimuli in Black Americans. It aims to understand the mechanisms behind this relationship and whether a brief mindfulness intervention can help reduce this attention bias. The study will involve 200 Black adults who have experienced race-related stress, using eye-tracking technology to measure their responses. Participants will engage in mindfulness meditation to see if it can alleviate their heightened sensitivity to threats.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide effective mindfulness strategies to help Black Americans manage stress and improve mental health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that mindfulness interventions can effectively reduce stress and improve mental health, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Louisville
Louisville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mekawi, Yara — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Mekawi, Yara
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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.