NIH-funded research R21 grant

Understanding how young adults change their drinking habits

Official title: A Qualitative Analysis of Social and Behavioral Processes Associated with Self-Change in Drinking in an Existing Cohort of Black and White Emerging Adults

Funded at University of Memphis · NIH-10928794 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how social and personal factors affect drinking habits in young adults aged 18-29, especially among Black and White individuals, to find out why some people drink less while others don’t, and it will also explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has played a role in these changes.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Memphis
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Memphis, United States)
Project startSeptember 15, 2023
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$200,319
NIH project number5R21AA031377-02
Project IDNIH-10928794 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are Black and White emerging adults aged 18-29 who have varying levels of alcohol consumption.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not within the age range of 18-29 or do not identify as Black or White may not receive benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the social and behavioral factors that influence changes in drinking habits among young adults aged 18-29, particularly focusing on Black and White individuals. By analyzing an existing cohort of participants, the study aims to identify why some individuals reduce their alcohol consumption while others do not. Participants will engage in discussions about their experiences and behaviors related to drinking, providing valuable insights into effective prevention strategies. The research seeks to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these behaviors.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for reducing alcohol consumption among young adults, particularly in underserved populations.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully examined behavioral predictors of alcohol use in similar populations, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful insights.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Memphis
    Memphis, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Murphy, James G. — University of Memphis
  • Study coordinator: Murphy, James G.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.