Understanding how parental divorce and marital discord affect children's alcohol use

Using genetically informed designs to understand the impact of parental divorce/separation and parental marital discord on offspring alcohol outcomes

NIH-funded research Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-10884635

This study looks at how parents' divorce or conflicts in their marriage might affect their children's chances of developing problems with alcohol, using information from families and genetics to better understand these risks.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10884635 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how parental divorce and marital discord influence the likelihood of offspring developing alcohol use disorders. It combines genetic data from large studies to explore the interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental factors, such as family dynamics. By analyzing data from twins and their parents, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms that lead to earlier alcohol consumption and misuse among children of divorced or discordant parents. This approach seeks to provide a deeper understanding of the risks associated with these family situations.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals under 21 years old who have experienced parental divorce or marital discord.

Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced parental divorce or marital discord may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prevention strategies and interventions for children at risk of alcohol use disorders due to family issues.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that genetic and environmental factors both play significant roles in alcohol use disorders, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Newark, 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.