Exploring how happiness and enjoyable activities influence substance use in adolescents

Happiness and Pleasurable Activities as Longitudinal Predictors of Adolescent Alcohol and Cannabis Outcomes

NIH-funded research University of Rhode Island · NIH-11061746

This study is looking at how feeling happy and doing fun activities can help prevent teens from using alcohol and cannabis, and it aims to find ways to support young people in making healthier choices.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Rhode Island NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Kingston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11061746 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of happiness and pleasurable activities in preventing alcohol and cannabis use among adolescents. By analyzing data from a large sample of young people, the study aims to identify protective factors that can help reduce the likelihood of substance use and its negative consequences. The approach focuses on understanding how positive emotions and healthy behaviors can serve as mediators in the developmental trajectory of substance use. This longitudinal analysis will provide insights into effective prevention strategies during a critical period of development.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who may be at risk for alcohol and cannabis use.

Not a fit: Patients outside the adolescent age range or those with established substance use disorders may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies that promote positive emotional well-being and reduce substance use among adolescents.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that positive psychological factors can influence substance use outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Kingston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.