Exploring how racism affects attention and testing mindfulness for Black Americans
Racism's Effect on Attention Bias to Threat: Testing a Brief Mindfulness Intervention for Black Americans
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 ID | NIH-10874071 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Black adults aged 21 and older who have experienced race-related stress.
Not a fit: Patients who do not identify as Black or have not experienced race-related stress may not benefit from this research.
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 performed: 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
Louisville, United States
- University of Louisville — Louisville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mekawi, Yara — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Mekawi, Yara
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 below.