Structural Racism, Reward Related Decision Making and Substance Use Risk

The goal of this observational study, which has a pilot phase (R61) and a second, larger phase (R33), is to learn about the impact of indicators of structural racism (SR) on substance use risk in Puerto Rican adolescents living in the mainland US and in Puerto Rico. To do this, we will look at how indicators of SR relate to brain structure, brain function during reward-related choices, belief in a just world, and substance use risk indicators in Puerto Rican adolescents living in the mainland US (mostly in New York) and in Puerto Rico (mostly in San Juan). We are currently focused on the R61 (pilot) phase. This pilot phase aims to answer the question: Is there a relationship between indicators of SR and brain structure, brain function during reward-related decision making, and belief in a just world? If we are able to establish a relationship between SR indicators and outcomes, we will continue to the second phase of the study at that time.

We will be collecting data from a total of 72 adolescents and their parents; n=36 in NY; n=36 in PR). Participation in the research study will include: 1. an interview with the parent or caregiver (approximately 2.5 hours) regarding the child's demographics, mental health symptoms, past experiences, the parent or caregiver's relationship with the child, as well as cultural values and acculturation; 2. an interview with the child (approximately 2.5 hours) regarding the child's past experiences, their current beliefs, personality traits and mental health symptoms; 3. an MRI scan for the child including task-based, structural and resting-state functional connectivity (approximately 1 hour).