How job insecurity affects substance use in adults
Official title: Employment Insecurity and Substance Use in U.S. Adults
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11137032 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how losing a job or not having enough work during tough times, like the COVID-19 pandemic, might lead people to use drugs or alcohol to cope, especially focusing on those from different backgrounds and lower-income groups, to help find better ways to support them.
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 | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $373,485 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA061309-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11137032 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are U.S. adults aged 21 and older who have experienced employment insecurity, particularly those from racial and ethnic minority groups or low socioeconomic backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing employment insecurity or who do not use substances may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between employment insecurity, such as unemployment or underemployment, and substance use among U.S. adults, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to understand how job loss or instability may lead individuals to use substances as a way to cope with stress and distress. By analyzing data on employment transitions and substance use patterns, the study seeks to identify critical factors that influence this relationship, especially among racial and ethnic minorities and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The findings could help inform policies and interventions aimed at reducing substance use linked to job insecurity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions and policies that help reduce substance use among individuals facing job insecurity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown mixed results regarding the impact of employment insecurity on substance use, indicating that this area is still being explored and may yield novel insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Jungeun Olivia — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Lee, Jungeun Olivia
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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.