Exploring how social influences affect alcohol use in young people and adults
Official title: Using Advanced Methodologies to Investigate the Effect of Social Influences on Alcohol Use Across Development
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11045598 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | March 16, 2024 |
| Project end | March 15, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $49,538 |
| NIH project number | 5F31AA031154-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045598 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adolescents aged 12-20 and young adults over 21 who are experiencing or at risk for alcohol misuse.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or are not in the targeted age groups may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Volpe, Laila — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Volpe, Laila
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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.