Exploring how social influences affect alcohol use in young people and adults

Using Advanced Methodologies to Investigate the Effect of Social Influences on Alcohol Use Across Development

NIH-funded research University of Washington · NIH-11045598

This study is looking at how friends and social situations affect drinking habits in teens and young adults, using smartphone surveys to track their alcohol use and social interactions in real time, with the goal of finding ways to help prevent alcohol misuse.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Washington NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-11045598 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the complex relationship between social influences and alcohol use across different age groups, particularly focusing on adolescents and young adults. By utilizing advanced methodologies such as ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and social network interviews, the study aims to identify specific social factors that may either increase the risk of alcohol misuse or provide protective benefits. Participants will be monitored through smartphone surveys to capture real-time data on their alcohol consumption and social interactions, allowing for a detailed understanding of how these influences change over time. The findings could lead to more targeted interventions for preventing alcohol misuse.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include adolescents aged 12-20 and young adults over 21 who are experiencing or at risk for alcohol misuse.

Not a fit: Patients who do not consume alcohol or are not in the targeted age groups may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing alcohol misuse among young people by identifying key social factors that influence drinking behavior.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in using similar methodologies to understand behavioral influences on substance use, indicating that this approach is promising.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, 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.