How starting certain jobs affects young adults' drinking

Utilization of a Social Network Approach To Examine The School-To-Work Transition: Examination of High-Risk Work Environments

['FUNDING_R01'] · BROWN UNIVERSITY · NIH-11332663

This project follows emerging adults entering high-risk occupations for two years to learn how coworkers and workplace culture influence their alcohol use.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorBROWN UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (PROVIDENCE, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11332663 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

You would join a national group of about 400 young adults (roughly ages 18–25) who are about to start one of five types of jobs linked to higher drinking: construction/extraction, installation/maintenance/repair, food service, transportation/material-moving, and sales. Over two years you would complete seven check-ins and five one-week daily diary periods about your work experiences, coworker and manager drinking, and your own alcohol use. The study collects information online and by short daily surveys so you can participate remotely. Researchers will use these patterns to shape better prevention and workplace supports for young workers.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal participants are emerging adults (about 18–25 years old) who are about to begin or have just begun work in construction/extraction, installation/maintenance/repair, food service, transportation/material-moving, or sales jobs.

Not a fit: People who are older than the emerging-adult range, not entering the listed occupations, or not in the workforce are unlikely to directly benefit from this specific project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help design workplace programs and policies that reduce risky drinking among young workers.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked certain occupations to higher alcohol use, but few have followed newcomers over time using repeated daily reports and social-network measures, so this longitudinal approach is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

PROVIDENCE, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.