How cultural and interpersonal stress affects stress responses and substance use in Hispanic teens
Cultural Stress, Stress Response, and Substance Use among Hispanic Adolescents
This project looks at whether cultural and interpersonal stress in Hispanic adolescents changes their bodily stress responses and leads to more alcohol, drug use, or behavior problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174560 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of a group of 300 Hispanic students followed over three years, starting either in 7th grade or 9th grade, so researchers can see developmental changes more quickly. The team will collect surveys about experiences with cultural and interpersonal stress, track alcohol and drug use and conduct problems, and take physiological stress measurements such as stress hormones and other body-response markers. The study uses an accelerated longitudinal design to cover five years of development from early adolescence into the later teen years. Results are meant to show whether bodily stress reactions explain how cultural stress leads to substance use and problem behaviors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are Hispanic adolescents entering 7th or 9th grade who can attend study visits and provide survey information and physiological stress samples with parental consent.
Not a fit: People who are not Hispanic, are outside the target age ranges, cannot attend local visits, or decline biological or longitudinal follow-up are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could point to specific stress-related mechanisms to target in prevention programs to reduce substance use and conduct problems in Hispanic youth.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked physiological stress responses to substance use, but applying an accelerated longitudinal design to link cultural/interpersonal stress specifically in Hispanic adolescents is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Austin, United States
- University of Texas at Austin — Austin, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schwartz, Seth J. — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Schwartz, Seth J.
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.