Exploring how relationship conflicts affect drinking habits in young adults

Understanding the Associations between Romantic Relationship Conflict, Psychophysiological Responding and Alcohol Misuse among Emerging Adults

NIH-funded research New York University · NIH-10928249

This study is looking at how arguments in romantic relationships might affect drinking habits in young adults, and it involves some fun tasks to see how people react while drinking alcohol.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNew York University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-10928249 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the connection between conflicts in romantic relationships and alcohol misuse among emerging adults. Participants will engage in conflict resolution tasks while undergoing alcohol administration, allowing researchers to collect psychophysiological data, such as heart rate variability. The study aims to understand how these factors influence drinking behaviors during this critical developmental phase. By examining the role of romantic partners in alcohol consumption, the research seeks to fill a significant gap in current knowledge.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are emerging adults aged 18-25 who are experiencing romantic relationship conflicts and may be engaging in heavy episodic drinking.

Not a fit: Patients who are not in romantic relationships or those who do not consume alcohol may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions for reducing alcohol misuse among young adults by addressing relationship dynamics.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that relationship dynamics can significantly influence alcohol consumption patterns, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

New York, 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 2026-06-09 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.