Understanding how parenting affects adolescent substance use and emotions

Integrating neural and momentary assessment of parenting, arousal, and adolescent substance use

NIH-funded research George Mason University · NIH-10878920

This study is looking at how different parenting styles affect teenagers' use of drugs and alcohol, especially focusing on girls, and aims to find ways to help parents support their kids better to prevent substance use.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionGeorge Mason University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Fairfax, United States)
Project IDNIH-10878920 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between parenting styles and adolescent substance use, particularly focusing on how maladaptive parenting can influence emotional and reward-related arousal in adolescents. By utilizing both laboratory methods and real-world assessments, the study aims to identify risk factors for substance use in adolescents, especially among girls, who are experiencing rising rates of substance use. The research will also explore how interventions that improve parenting can be made more accessible and effective in preventing substance use among youth.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include adolescents aged 12 to 20, particularly those at risk for substance use due to maladaptive parenting.

Not a fit: Patients who are not adolescents or those who do not have issues related to substance use or maladaptive parenting may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective, gender-sensitive prevention strategies for adolescent substance use.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in using interventions to improve parenting and prevent adolescent substance use, indicating a promising approach.

Where this research is happening

Fairfax, 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.