Actively Recruiting
Understanding the Associations Between Romantic Relationship Conflict, Psychophysiological Responding and Alcohol Misuse Among Emerging Adults
Led by New York University · Updated on 2026-02-20
160
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
148 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
N
New York University
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Emerging Adults (EA) engage in heavy episodic drinking (HED) at a greater quantity and frequency than any other time in their lives, which may lead to significant short- and long-term consequences. Although much is known about the influence of peers in EA alcohol use, there is a dearth of research examining the ways in which romantic partners influence EA drinking behaviors. The proposed study bridges a crucial gap in the existing literature by examining behavioral and physiological risk and resilience factors in the acute link between EA relationship conflict and alcohol consumption. EA couples will engage in two conflict resolution tasks interspersed with two puzzle tasks and two alcohol administration procedures. Because high frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV) is associated with alcohol use and emotion regulation during stressful experiences, HF-HRV and other physiological data will be collected throughout the laboratory procedures.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Understanding the Associations Between Romantic Relationship Conflict, Psychophysiological Responding and Alcohol Misuse Among Emerging Adults
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 21 to 29 years old
- In a committed romantic relationship lasting at least 3 months
- At least 2 episodes of heavy episodic drinking in the past 30 days (5+ drinks in 2 hours for males, 4+ drinks in 2 hours for females)
- Self-reported consumption of alcohol equal to or exceeding the standard laboratory dose on at least three occasions in the past year
You will not qualify if you...
- History of or current neurological, psychotic, or bipolar disorders meeting DSM-5 criteria
- History of head trauma requiring medical treatment
- Body weight over 250 pounds
- Currently enrolled in or seeking treatment for substance or alcohol use disorder
- Current suicidal or homicidal intent
- Serious cardiovascular conditions affecting normal heart function
- Use of medications likely to interfere with heart or alcohol responses, except stimulants or benzodiazepines if not taken on study day
- Severe or unilateral physical intimate partner violence with current partner
- Sexual intimate partner violence with current partner
- Fear of current partner
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Severe Alcohol Use Disorder as defined by DSM-5
- Current diagnosis of anorexia or bulimia
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
386 Park Avenue South
New York, New York, United States, 10016
Actively Recruiting
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
0
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