Understanding how racial microaggressions affect PTSD in youth victims of violence
Official title: Racial Microaggressions, Neural Vigilance Circuitry and PTSD Outcomes in Youth Victims of Violence
Funded at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee · NIH-11065810 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how small, everyday acts of racial discrimination affect the mental health of young people who have faced violence, especially focusing on Black youth, to understand how these experiences might lead to symptoms of PTSD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin Milwaukee NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | January 3, 2025 |
| Project end | January 2, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $44,828 |
| NIH project number | 1F31MH136703-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11065810 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Black youth aged 0-21 who have experienced violent assaults.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced violence or racial discrimination may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of racial microaggressions on the mental health of youth who have experienced violence. It focuses on how these subtle forms of discrimination can lead to increased vigilance and heightened activity in brain regions associated with threat perception, potentially resulting in PTSD symptoms. By studying Black youth, the research aims to create a comprehensive model that links racial discrimination, neural responses, and PTSD outcomes during a critical developmental period. The methodology includes assessing brain activity and psychological responses to better understand these relationships.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health interventions for youth affected by violence and racial discrimination.
How similar studies have gone: While the individual components of this research have been studied, the specific integration of racial microaggressions and PTSD in youth is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harb, Farah — University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
- Study coordinator: Harb, Farah
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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.