Racial differences in how people experience paranoia
Study of Life Challenges, Personality, and Emotional Experiences
NA · Indiana University · NCT07460453
This project will see if brief race-related stressful experiences increase feelings of paranoia in Black American adults who take online surveys.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 480 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Indiana University (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Bloomington, Indiana) |
| Trial ID | NCT07460453 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers will recruit non-Hispanic Black or African American adults in the United States who are registered on the Prolific platform and randomly assign them to a guided visual imagery task that includes race-related stressful content or a control condition. Participants will complete measures of paranoia and other psychological and demographic questionnaires online. The study will test whether the experimental exposure increases paranoia and examine personal and experiential factors that might strengthen or weaken that effect. Data collection and oversight are managed by Indiana University with NIMH collaboration.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Non-Hispanic Black or African American adults (age 18+), English-speaking U.S. residents who are registered participants on the Prolific platform.
Not a fit: People under 18, those who do not self-identify as non-Hispanic Black/African American, non-U.S. residents, non-English speakers, or those not registered on Prolific will not be eligible and are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could identify social and psychological targets to reduce harmful paranoia and improve well‑being for Black Americans.
How similar studies have performed: Numerous cross-sectional studies consistently show higher reported paranoia among Black Americans linked to race-related adversity, but experimental causal tests using tasks like guided visual imagery are limited and this approach is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria * 18 years of age or older * Self-identify as non-Hispanic Black or African American * Currently reside in the United States * Speak and read English * Registered as a survey participant on the Prolific platform Exclusion Criteria * Younger than 18 years of age * Do not self-identify as non-Hispanic Black or African American * Do not currently reside in the United States * Do not speak or read English * Not registered as a survey participant on the Prolific platform
Where this trial is running
Bloomington, Indiana
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences — Bloomington, Indiana, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: J Wolny
- Email: wolny@iu.edu
- Phone: 812-855-2620
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Paranoia, Psychotic Disorders, Psychosis-Spectrum, Adverse Experiences, Experimental Paradigm, General Population