How close relationships affect risk for alcohol problems
Close Relationships and Alcohol Use Disorder Risk
Researchers will look at whether young adult couples with lower relationship quality find alcohol more socially and emotionally rewarding, which could lead to heavier drinking and alcohol problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Carnegie-Mellon University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11195076 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you and your partner will take part in lab sessions where you may drink alcohol while interacting so researchers can measure social bonding and emotional responses. The study plans to enroll 252 couples (504 people) aged 21 and older and will combine alcohol-administration tests, surveys, and follow-up visits over time. Investigators will compare couples with lower versus higher relationship quality to see if increased alcohol-related rewards predict heavier drinking and more AUD symptoms later. The team will use those findings to better understand why relationship problems can lead some couples toward problematic drinking.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are young adult drinkers (age 21+) who are in a romantic relationship and are willing to attend in-person lab alcohol sessions and follow-up surveys.
Not a fit: People under 21, those not in a romantic relationship, or anyone unwilling to consume alcohol in a supervised lab would not be eligible or likely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to couple-focused prevention or treatment approaches that reduce drinking driven by relationship problems.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research links poor relationship quality to problem drinking and some couple-based interventions have shown promise, but combining alcohol-administration with longitudinal follow-up in couples is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- Carnegie-Mellon University — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Creswell, Kasey G. — Carnegie-Mellon University
- Study coordinator: Creswell, Kasey G.
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.