The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) awarded a $630,362 Project Grant under the Alcohol Research Programs (CFDA 93.273) to Carnegie Mellon University. The grant, titled "Close Relationships and Alcohol Use Disorder Risk," aims to investigate how the quality of close relationships impacts the risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD).
The project will merge insights from alcohol administration research and social psychology to develop a novel conceptual model depicting how poor relationship quality affects the way couples experience alcohol, potentially leading to heavier drinking and AUD symptoms over time. The study will use a multi-modal approach, including laboratory sessions, ecological momentary assessments, and 12-month follow-ups, to examine the underlying mechanisms linking relationship quality, alcohol reinforcement, and AUD risk. A sub-award of undisclosed amount was made to the University of Illinois to support the conceptual framework development, data analysis, and co-authoring of publications under the grant.