Online Teen Research Study
Researchers at the Pennsylvania State University are studying how racial discrimination affects teens’ mental health.
Fast Facts
Latiné and/or Black (including multiracial)
Teen 13-17 years old (and will not turn 18 in the next 6 months)
Compensation
provided
Conducted online
Study Background
Researchers at the Pennsylvania State University are studying how racial discrimination affects teens’ mental health.
Adolescence is a critical period for social, emotional, and identity development. Project SQUAD aims to better understand how cultural stressors like discrimination affect how teens adjust, cope, and develop a sense of who they are.
This study is also interested in understanding how teens talk with one another about race-related topics to understand how peer communication influences adjustment. Teens have the option of completing a virtual activity session with a friend of their choosing. However, they can also participate in the study without a friend if they’d prefer.
Study Background
Researchers at the Pennsylvania State University are studying how racial discrimination affects teens’ mental health.
Adolescence is a critical period for social, emotional, and identity development. Project SQUAD aims to better understand how cultural stressors like discrimination affect how teens adjust, cope, and develop a sense of who they are.
This study is also interested in understanding how teens talk with one another about race-related topics to understand how peer communication influences adjustment. Teens have the option of completing a virtual activity session with a friend of their choosing. However, they can also participate in the study without a friend if they’d prefer.
Additional Information
The purpose of this study is to examine how exposure to discrimination and other cultural stressors affect mental health in Black and Latine youth.
You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Teen 13-17 years old (and will not turn 18 in the next 6 months)
- Latiné and/or Black (including multiracial)
- Parental permission required to participate in this study
- Resides in the United States
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. Teenagers can choose to participate without a friend if they prefer.
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 friend).
Teenagers will earn a total of $130 ($60 for the virtual activity session and $70 for completing the six month follow-up surveys). Friends will earn $60 for participating in the virtual activity session.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.