Exploring how social interactions influence alcohol use in young adults
Official title: Multi-method investigation of social facilitation of alcohol effects and alcohol misuse in young adults
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-10980338 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how being around friends or others while drinking can change how young adults feel and behave with alcohol, helping us understand why some might struggle with drinking too much.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 5, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $736,668 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA031240-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10980338 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are young adults who consume alcohol and are interested in understanding the social influences on their drinking behavior.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or are not in the young adult age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how social contexts affect alcohol consumption and the risk of alcohol misuse among young adults. It focuses on the phenomenon known as 'social facilitation of alcohol effects,' where individuals may experience heightened effects of alcohol when drinking with others compared to alone. Participants will engage in controlled lab sessions where they consume alcohol in different social settings, allowing researchers to measure their emotional responses and the impact of social interactions on drinking behavior. The findings aim to enhance understanding of the social factors that contribute to alcohol use disorders in this age group.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prevention strategies and interventions for alcohol misuse among young adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that social contexts significantly influence alcohol consumption, indicating that this approach has a foundation in established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pang, Raina — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Pang, Raina
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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.