How alcohol drive and self-control combine to cause harmful drinking
A rigorous test of dual process model predictions for problematic alcohol involvement
This project compares people’s alcohol motivation and self-control in young adults to explain who develops alcohol-related problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145908 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be asked to complete questionnaires and behavioral tests that measure your urge to drink and your ability to control impulses, rather than just answering a single question. The team uses multiple kinds of measures (self-report and behavioral tasks) to build a clearer picture of the brain-behavior traits linked to risky drinking. They will combine these measures to test improved versions of a theory about how strong alcohol motivation and weak self-control interact to produce problems. The goal is to identify more precise risk profiles in young adult drinkers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are young adults who drink alcohol, including those who engage in heavy or risky drinking (around age 21).
Not a fit: People who do not drink or whose alcohol problems are driven mainly by medical conditions rather than motivation or cognitive control may not see direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify who is at higher risk for harmful drinking and point to better targets for prevention or treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research using the dual process idea has had mixed results, and this project uses more rigorous, multi-measure approaches to test it.
Where this research is happening
Iowa City, United States
- University of Iowa — Iowa City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bartholow, Bruce D — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Bartholow, Bruce D
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 below.