How culture and environment shape early alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis use in Black and Latinx youth

Cultural and Environmental Influences on Precursors to and Early Stages of Alcohol, Nicotine, and Cannabis Use in Black and Latinx Youth

NIH-funded research Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11248318

This project looks at how family, religion, neighborhood, and experiences like discrimination are linked to early alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis use and related beliefs in Black and Latinx young teens.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11248318 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers are analyzing existing data from the large Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study that followed kids from about age 9 into mid-adolescence. They will use statistical grouping methods to find patterns of early substance-related thoughts and behaviors and see how those patterns differ within and between Black and Latinx youth, including by gender. The focus is on cultural factors (for example, racial/ethnic discrimination and religious involvement) and environmental factors common in these communities. This is a secondary data analysis of thousands of U.S. adolescents, so no new tests or treatments are offered to participants.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: The work most directly concerns Black and Latinx young people roughly ages 9–16 and their families, especially those interested in preventing early alcohol, nicotine, or cannabis use.

Not a fit: Children outside the targeted age range or racial/ethnic groups, or those already at low risk for early substance use, may not receive direct benefit from this analysis.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, findings could help prevention programs be better matched to the cultural and community needs of Black and Latinx youth to reduce early substance use.

How similar studies have performed: Large U.S. longitudinal studies like ABCD have successfully identified teen substance use risk factors, but a focused look at cultural and environmental precursors in Black and Latinx youth is relatively new.

Where this research is happening

Newark, 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.