Relationship intervention moderates the association between substance use and biological aging among Black adults.

Abstract

Due to the effects of systemic racism, Black Americans experience disproportionately negative consequences from substance use, including increased accelerated aging (biological aging at a faster rate than chronological age). This study demonstrates that the Protecting Strong African American Families intervention, a relationship education program designed to promote family resilience to the harsh environments experienced by Black families in rural Southern communities, reduces some of these harmful effects among Black couples. These beneficial effects of Protecting Strong African American Families may be more pronounced for couples with lower initial relationship satisfaction. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)