Understanding how life stress, substance use, and the justice system connect from teen years to adulthood
Official title: Life stress exposures, substance use, and justice system involvement from adolescence to adulthood: Identifying protective factors in a US national cohort study
Funded at Public Health Institute · NIH-11086722 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how stressful life events, drug and alcohol use, and involvement with the justice system are connected for young people and adults, hoping to find ways to help.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Public Health Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oakland, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $400,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA059036-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11086722 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This project uses existing data from a national study that followed individuals from adolescence into adulthood, focusing on those who experienced life stress, substance use, and justice system involvement.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not experiencing life stress, substance use issues, or involvement with the justice system may not directly benefit from the specific findings of this particular analysis.
What this research studies
This project explores why some young adults, particularly those aged 18-25, face higher rates of incarceration, often linked to substance use. We know that many people involved with the justice system have experienced significant life stress. This work aims to understand how different types of stress, from childhood through adulthood, might lead to substance use and, in turn, involvement with the justice system. By looking at existing information from a large national health study, we hope to identify key moments where support and interventions could make a real difference.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify critical opportunities to intervene and support young people and adults to reduce substance use and justice system involvement.
How similar studies have gone: This project builds upon previous research that has shown connections between adverse childhood experiences and negative health outcomes, but it uniquely examines adult stress exposures and their relevance to incarceration through substance use.
Where this research is happening
-
Public Health Institute
Oakland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tam, Christina — Public Health Institute
- Study coordinator: Tam, Christina
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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.