How romantic conflict affects drinking and stress responses in young adult couples

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

Young adult romantic partners who report recent heavy episodic drinking will come to a New York University laboratory and complete two conflict discussion tasks interleaved with two puzzle tasks. During the visit participants will undergo two controlled alcohol administration procedures while continuous physiological data, including high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV), are recorded. The design compares behavioral and physiological responses during conflict and non-conflict periods and relates those responses to subsequent alcohol intake. The goal is to identify risk and resilience factors that connect acute relationship stress to drinking in emerging adults.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 21-29 years old
2. Must be in a committed romantic relationship of at least 3 months duration
3. Must report at least 2 HED episodes in the past 30 days (5 or more drinks within 2 hours for males, 4 or more drinks within 2 hours for females)
4. Must self-report that they have - on at least three occasions during the past year - consumed a quantity of alcohol that is equal to or greater than the standard dose administered for their weight in the laboratory

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Meeting DSM-5 criteria for a history of or current neurological, psychotic, or bipolar disorders
2. History of self-reported head trauma requiring medical treatment
3. Body weight exceeding 250 pounds
4. Current enrollment in treatment or seeking treatment for a substance or alcohol use disorder
5. Current suicidal or homicidal intent
6. Serious cardiovascular health conditions (e.g. pacemaker, cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension) that may alter normative cardiac functioning
7. Treatment on medications such as lithium, methadone, alpha or beta blockers or cholinergic/anticholinergic medications likely to confound normative cardiovascular responding or response to alcohol administration. Stimulant or benzodiazepine medication use is permissible provided participants do not take medication on the day of study participation
8. Severe and/or unilateral physical IPV with your current partner at any time
9. Sexual IPV with current partner at any time
10. Fear of current partner
11. Pregnancy or breastfeeding
12. Severe Alcohol Use Disorder (as defined by the DSM-5)
13. Current diagnosis of anorexia or bulimia

Where it's running

• 386 Park Avenue South
  New York, New York, United States Recruiting

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.