Online Teen Research Study
Researchers at Pennsylvania State University are studying how racial discrimination affects teens’ mental health.
Fast Facts
Ages 13-17
Black or Latiné
Compensation Provided
Conducted in
Pennsylvania
Study Background
Researchers at Pennsylvania State University are studying how racial discrimination affects teens’ mental health.
Our researchers invite you to join Project SQUAD (Studying Questions of Underrepresented Adolescents’ Dynamics)! In this project, we want to examine how exposure to discrimination and other cultural stressors affect mental health in Black and Latiné youth.
You may be eligible to participate if you are a teenager who is Black and/or Latiné (including multiracial) and you are 13-17 years old, reside in Pennsylvania, and are currently enrolled in high school.
The study will consist of two waves and all study activities will be conducted virtually over Zoom. During the first wave, participants will answer online surveys and complete a virtual activity session with a friend of their choosing. The teenager and their friend will each receive $60 for this visit. The second wave will only involve the teenager (not their friend) and will again include the completion of online surveys. The teenager will be compensated $70 for this second visit.
Study Background
Researchers at Pennsylvania State University are studying how racial discrimination affects teens’ mental health.
Our researchers invite you to join Project SQUAD (Studying Questions of Underrepresented Adolescents’ Dynamics)! In this project, we want to examine how exposure to discrimination and other cultural stressors affect mental health in Black and Latiné youth.
You may be eligible to participate if you are a teenager who is Black and/or Latiné (including multiracial) and you are 13-17 years old, reside in Pennsylvania, and are currently enrolled in high school.
The study will consist of two waves and all study activities will be conducted virtually over Zoom. During the first wave, participants will answer online surveys and complete a virtual activity session with a friend of their choosing. The teenager and their friend will each receive $60 for this visit. The second wave will only involve the teenager (not their friend) and will again include the completion of online surveys. The teenager will be compensated $70 for this second visit.
Additional Information
The purpose of this study is to examine how exposure to discrimination and other cultural stressors affect mental health in Black and Latiné youth.
You or your child may qualify for this study if you/your child meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Identify as Black or Latino/a/x/é
- Being multiracial, with an identity that includes Black/African American or Latino/a/x/é, also counts!
- 13-to-17-years old (and will not be turning 18 years old within the next 6 months)
- Resident of Pennsylvania
- Currently enrolled in high school
- Can obtain parental consent to participate in the study
Once enrolled, this 6-month study involves
- Wave 1: One virtual session with teen and their friend, lasting approximately 2-3 hours. Teens and their friends will independently answer online surveys. They will then be asked to have a conversation together about three prompts.
- Wave 2: After six months, teens will return for a second virtual appointment, again lasting 2-3 hours. During this visit, they will answer online surveys. They will participate in this visit by themselves (without their friends).
Teenagers will earn a total of $130 ($60 for Wave 1 and $70 for Wave 2). Friends will be compensated $60 for participating in Wave 1.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.
