Derefinko Lab

Research focus

NIH R01 · 2024

Life Stress Pathways and Resilience to Substance Misuse in Black and White Youth

Exposure to life stressors across development is known to increase the likelihood of adolescent substance misuse, but the few available comparisons of Black and White youth have revealed a paradox. Whereas Black youth are more likely than White youth to experience stressors in the form of socioeconomic disadvantage, traumatic events, and discrimination, often within a context of structural racism, studies show they have lower rates of nearly all types of substance misuse. This paradox could have health consequences, for example, by contributing to stigma among Black individuals who do struggle with substance misuse, because the adverse consequences of substance misuse, once initiated, are…

From the public funding record at NIH RePORTER. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.