Understanding how alcohol affects risky behaviors in young adults
Official title: Connecting Alcohol Myopia to Real-World Risk Behaviors through Cognitive Ecological Momentary Assessment
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10888687 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol affects young adults' choices, like being aggressive or driving unsafely, by using smartphone tasks to see how alcohol changes their focus and decision-making in real life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 7, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $241,271 |
| NIH project number | 7R21AA029489-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10888687 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young adults who consume alcohol and engage in risky behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or are not involved in risk-taking behaviors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how alcohol consumption influences risky behaviors such as aggression and unsafe driving among young adults. By using smartphone-based assessments, the study aims to measure how alcohol narrows attention and affects decision-making in real-world situations. Participants will engage in tasks designed to evaluate their cognitive responses while consuming alcohol, helping researchers understand the connection between alcohol myopia and risk-taking behaviors. The findings could lead to better interventions aimed at reducing alcohol-related risks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective strategies for preventing risky behaviors associated with alcohol consumption.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has supported the alcohol myopia theory in controlled settings, but this study aims to explore its real-world implications, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jaffe, Anna E. — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Jaffe, Anna E.
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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.