The impact of relationship quality on alcohol use disorder risk
Official title: Close Relationships and Alcohol Use Disorder Risk
Funded at Carnegie-Mellon University · NIH-10719238 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how having tough relationships can lead to drinking problems, and it's for anyone interested in understanding how conflicts with partners might make people drink more.
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 start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $630,362 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA031009-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10719238 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 who are experiencing relationship difficulties and may be at risk for alcohol use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have stable, high-quality relationships and do not engage in problematic drinking may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the quality of close relationships influences the risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD). It examines the connection between low relationship quality—such as partner conflict and dissatisfaction—and increased alcohol consumption. By merging insights from alcohol administration studies and social psychology, the project aims to understand how poor relationship dynamics can lead to heightened emotional rewards from alcohol, potentially resulting in problematic drinking behaviors. The findings could help identify couples at risk and inform interventions to improve relationship quality and reduce AUD risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions for couples at risk of alcohol use disorder by enhancing relationship quality.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that improving relationship quality can positively impact drinking behaviors, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Carnegie-Mellon University
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Creswell, Kasey G. — Carnegie-Mellon University
- Study coordinator: Creswell, Kasey G.
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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.