Understanding Adolescent Substance Use and Financial Challenges
Official title: Substance Use and Perceived Discrimination Based on Socioeconomic Status
Funded at San Francisco State University · NIH-11121726 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how experiences related to financial challenges might connect with substance use in young people, including alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $155,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R16DA061947-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11121726 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This project is interested in adolescents, typically between 12 and 20 years old, who may have experienced financial challenges or discrimination related to their socioeconomic status.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not adolescents or who are not at risk for substance use related to socioeconomic factors may not directly benefit from this particular research.
What this research studies
We know that young people from families facing financial difficulties are more likely to use substances like cigarettes, vapes, alcohol, and cannabis. This project aims to understand if specific experiences, such as being teased or laughed at due to financial challenges, play a role in this. By focusing on adolescents, we hope to learn more about why substance use begins at this age. The findings could help us develop better ways to support young people and prevent substance use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to support adolescents facing financial challenges and reduce their risk of substance use.
How similar studies have gone: While there is some preliminary research with adults and one study with adolescents suggesting a link, this specific line of inquiry into adolescent experiences based on financial challenges and various substances is largely new.
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.