Racial differences in how people experience paranoia
Official title: Study of Life Challenges, Personality, and Emotional Experiences
Run by Indiana University · NCT07460453 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will see if brief race-related stressful experiences increase feelings of paranoia in Black American adults who take online surveys.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 480 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Indiana University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bloomington, Indiana) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 13, 2026 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | April 29, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07460453 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Non-Hispanic Black or African American adults (age 18+), English-speaking U.S. residents who are registered participants on the Prolific platform.
✕Probably 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.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: 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.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
-
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
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.