Will you share the results?” Perspectives on biosocial research participation within Black and Latinx communities

Despite the power of biosocial research to reveal the dynamic interplay between biological phenomena and the social context, Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) are underrepresented in this research. Low population generalizability has serious implications for the ability to translate scientific research into solving real world problems equitably. This study used semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 65 Black and Latinx/a/o/e adults to understand the perspectives, experiences, and concerns that BIPOC individuals have in participating in biosocial research studies. There was consistency in participants’ concerns and motivations for participating in research, regardless of whether biological data was part of the study protocol. In addition to transparency, confidentiality, and accessibility, participants emphasized the importance of a study to have a social impact on communities, be consistent with community values, and for research to be built on a foundation of trust between researchers, institutions, and communities. Conversations also revealed a clear demand for sharing results that are personally relevant or relevant to local communities. The results from this study have implications for all fields of psychological science and allied disciplines. Concrete recommendations are offered, including a call for more training and resources to conduct Community Based Participatory Research.