Social Facilitation of Alcohol Effects and Alcohol Misuse in Young Adults

University of Southern California200 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to understand social contexts and alcohol use. We hope to learn how being around peers affects alcohol consumption in young adults. About 200 young adults who drink alcohol frequently will take part in the study. This research is being funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Participation involves one in-person screening session with a same-sex platonic friend. Then participants will complete four in-person laboratory sessions where they will drink beverages containing alcohol or no alcohol. After completion of the laboratory sessions, participants will complete smartphone surveys for 28 days. Lastly, they will complete follow-up surveys 6 months and 12 months post-study enrollment.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

200

Conditions

Alcohol Consumption Alcohol Abuse/Dependence

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 21 YearsMax age: 28 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * 21-28 years of age * Drink regularly (1+ times/week) with a same-sex platonic friend that also meets eligibility and is willing to participate * Regular alcohol use (3+ times/week) with at least one binge drinking episode (5+ drinks \[male\] or 4+ drinks \[female\] in about 2 hours) in the past month * BMI of 18-30 * Own a smart device operating on the iOS or Android operating system * Fluent in English Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy or breastfeeding or intent to get pregnant in the next 60 days (females) * medical conditions counter-indicated for alcohol administration * seeking treatment for alcohol use

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Drug Effect Questionnaire (DEQ)

The Drug Effects Questionnaire (DEQ), a 5-item visual analog questionnaire (0 to 100 mm; not at all to extremely), will be used to assess the extent to which participants experience the effects of the drug: "feel drug," "feel high," "like drug," "dislike drug," and "want more".

Time frame: The DEQ will be assessed 30 minutes before alcohol administration, and again 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 minutes after alcohol administration during each session.

Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale (BAES)

The Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale (BAES) is a 14-item survey that instructs individuals to rate the extent to which drinking alcohol has produced related subjective effects (0=not at all to 10=extremely). This questionnaire has two subscales consisting of mean scores related to sedation and stimulation.

Time frame: The BAES will be assessed 30 minutes before alcohol administration, and again 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 minutes after alcohol administration during each session.

Quantity of Alcohol Use during Ecological Momentary Assessment

Quantity of alcohol use will be the number of drinks reported each day during the Ecological Momentary Assessment period. Number of drinks reported will be recoded to create two binary variables alcohol use (alcohol use \[1+ drinks\], no alcohol \[0\]) and binge drinking (binge \[female: 4+ drinks; male: 5+ drinks\], no binge (female: \<4 drinks; male\<5 drinks\]).

Time frame: Quantity of Alcohol Use will be assessed daily for 28 days.

Past 30-day Alcohol Use during Follow-Up

Past 30-day alcohol use (including number of drinks and binge drinking) will be assessed using the timeline follow-back method.

Time frame: Past 30-day alcohol use will be assessed 6 and 12 months after the initial laboratory sessions.

Secondary Outcomes

Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)

The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) is a well-validated brief scale comprised of 20 items meas-uring positive affect (e.g., excited, inspired) and negative affect (e.g., upset, afraid) in the moment. Each item is rated on a five-point Likert Scale, ranging from 1 = Very Slightly or Not at all to 5 = Extremely).

Time frame: The PANAS will be assessed 30 minutes before alcohol administration, and again 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 minutes after alcohol administration during each session.

Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (YAACQ) during Ecological Momentary Assessment

The validated Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (YAACQ) is a 24-item measure assessing negative alcohol-related consequences. Summary scores are the sum of all items.

Time frame: The YAACQ will be completed daily for 28 days.

Past 30-day Alcohol Consequences during Follow-Up

Past 30-day alcohol consequences will be assessed using the validated Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (YAACQ), a 24-item measure assessing negative alcohol-related consequences. Summary scores are the sum of all items.

Time frame: Past 30-day alcohol consequences will be assessed at 6 and 12 months following the initial laboratory sessions.