How Money Troubles Shape Teens’ Substance Use
Official title: Substance Use and Perceived Discrimination Based on Socioeconomic Status
Funded at San Francisco State University · NIH-11374930 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how financial stress in families relates to teens using alcohol, cannabis, and other substances, to help families and clinicians understand risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | San Francisco State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $155,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R16DA061947-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11374930 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adolescents aged roughly 12-20 who are experiencing financial hardship within their families and are open to discussing their experiences and substance use.
✕Less likely to help
Teens without financial challenges or those who are not using substances are less likely to benefit from this specific focus.
What this research studies
Teenagers from financially challenged families may face unique pressures that could influence their choices around substances. The study builds on a model linking financial challenges and peer or family experiences to substance use during adolescence, then looks at how these links apply to alcohol, cannabis, and opioids. By analyzing adolescents’ lived experiences and recent use patterns, the project aims to identify factors that could be addressed in prevention and support efforts. The findings could inform schools, pediatric care, and community programs about where to focus resources for at-risk youth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could inform targeted prevention and support strategies for high-risk adolescents and their families.
How similar studies have gone: Previous adult-focused work shows links between financial stress and substance use, but this adolescent-focused study is among the first to examine these dynamics in teens.
Where this research is happening
-
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mello, Zena R. — San Francisco State University
- Study coordinator: Mello, Zena R.
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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.