How social networks and alcohol use affect aggression in couples from low-income communities
Official title: Duocentric Social Networks and Alcohol-Related Intimate Partner Aggression among Couples from Low-Income Communities
Funded at Arizona State University-Tempe Campus · NIH-10950581 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol and social connections can affect arguments and aggression between partners in low-income communities, and it’s for couples who want to understand how their friendships and social circles might play a role in their relationship dynamics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arizona State University-Tempe Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tempe, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $253,284 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AA031736-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10950581 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are couples from low-income communities who experience issues related to alcohol use and intimate partner aggression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a partner or those not affected by alcohol-related aggression may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between alcohol consumption and intimate partner aggression (IPA) by examining the social networks of couples living in low-income communities. It aims to understand how social isolation and perceptions of social norms within both in-person and virtual networks influence the risk of aggression in intimate relationships. By analyzing the social connections that partners maintain, the study seeks to identify patterns that may contribute to IPA. The research will involve 200 couples, allowing for a comprehensive look at the dynamics of their social interactions and behaviors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted interventions that reduce intimate partner aggression by addressing social network dynamics and alcohol use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that social contexts play a significant role in intimate partner aggression, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
Tempe, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hammett, Julia Friederike — Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
- Study coordinator: Hammett, Julia Friederike
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How sex differences affect the rewarding feel of aggression in the brain
This grant explores why aggressive experiences feel more rewarding in females and how specific brain circuits and chemical signals shape this in both sexes.
-
Metabolic therapy to reduce aggression and improve sociability in Alzheimer’s disease models
A ketogenic diet and adenosine biology are explored to see if they can lessen aggression and improve social behavior in models related to Alzheimer’s disease.
-
Genomic keys to juvenile aggression in kids and animals
A study using a novel animal model to uncover genomic factors that influence violent aggression in young individuals, with potential insights for understanding and preventing harmful behavior.
-
Men's drinking and sexual risk behaviors: alcohol, aggression, and emotions
A study with 21–30 year old men who drink and have condom-use challenges will look at how alcohol, aggression history, and emotions relate to risky sexual behavior.
-
Sex differences in brain circuits that control aggression
This project looks at how brain networks that drive aggressive behavior may differ between sexes, with the goal of understanding why aggression patterns differ and how they might be treated.
-
Understanding how genes and environment influence aggressive behavior in teens and young adults
A study looks at how genetic factors and experiences during childhood interact to shape aggressive behavior in adolescents and young adults, with potential implications for better treatments.
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.