Exploring how happiness and enjoyable activities influence substance use in adolescents
Official title: Happiness and Pleasurable Activities as Longitudinal Predictors of Adolescent Alcohol and Cannabis Outcomes
Funded at University of Rhode Island · NIH-11061746 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rhode Island NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kingston, United States) |
| Project start | May 20, 2024 |
| Project end | May 19, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F31DA060555-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061746 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who may be at risk for alcohol and cannabis use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the adolescent age range or those with established substance use disorders may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Trinh, Catherine D — University of Rhode Island
- Study coordinator: Trinh, Catherine D
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.