Understanding how childhood adversity affects substance use in adolescents

Childhood adversity and substance use: Integrating laboratory and ecological approaches to understand the role of affect

NIH-funded research Miriam Hospital · NIH-10906866

This study is looking at how tough experiences in childhood might lead to substance use in teenagers, and it will use cool tools to see how their feelings and reactions play a part, all to find ways to help prevent this in young people who might be at risk.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMiriam Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Providence, United States)
Project IDNIH-10906866 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the connection between childhood adversity and substance use among adolescents by integrating both laboratory and ecological approaches. It aims to understand how emotional responses, or affect, play a role in this relationship. The study will involve advanced techniques such as eye tracking and physiological measurements to gather data on adolescents' reactions and behaviors. By identifying modifiable risk factors, the research seeks to provide insights that could help prevent substance use in at-risk youth.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who have reported adverse childhood experiences.

Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced any childhood adversity or are outside the age range of 12 to 20 may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies for substance use among adolescents who have experienced childhood adversity.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding the emotional responses of adolescents can lead to effective interventions for substance use, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.