Understanding how background, genes, and COVID-19 affect decision-making and substance use in teenagers
An Examination of the Joint Contributions of Socioeconomic Disadvantage, Genetics, and COVID-19 on the Development of Delay Discounting and Substance Use Across Adolescence
['FUNDING_R01'] · RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11131247
This project looks at how a teenager's background, genes, and experiences with COVID-19 might shape their decision-making and risk for substance use.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11131247 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Many young people start using substances during their teenage years, which can lead to problems later in life. This project aims to understand why some teenagers are more likely to make impulsive decisions, a behavior called "delay discounting," which is linked to substance use. We are using information from a large national group of young people, aged 9 to 17, to explore how their family background, community experiences, genetic makeup, and the COVID-19 pandemic might influence these decisions. By looking at these different factors together, we hope to identify early warning signs and ways to help prevent substance use before it starts.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project uses existing data from a large group of adolescents, aged 9 to 17, who have been followed over time.
Not a fit: Individuals outside the adolescent age range or those not at risk for substance use may not directly benefit from this particular research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us identify teenagers at higher risk for substance use early on, allowing for better prevention strategies.
How similar studies have performed: While previous work has linked individual factors to substance use, this project is novel in combining socioeconomic, genetic, and COVID-19 influences with detailed longitudinal data.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES — Newark, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: RABINOWITZ, JILL ALEXANDRA — RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES
- Study coordinator: RABINOWITZ, JILL ALEXANDRA
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 below.