Clinical trial NCT06822257: Drinking in Young Adult Duos (DYAD) Study
Official title: Understanding Alcohol Use in Young Adult Couples
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol Drinking
Alcohol Intoxication
Keywords: alcohol administration
couples
Lead sponsor: Carnegie Mellon University
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
First posted: 2025-02-12
Enrollment: 504
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 21
Maximum age (years): 30
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: NA
Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose: OTHER

Brief summary: This study examines the role of alcohol use in understanding the dynamics of romantic relationships. Couples will participate in a research session where they consume either an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage and complete study tasks. After the session, participants will provide information about their drinking habits, alcohol- and non-alcohol-related experiences, and relationship factors through brief surveys on their smart phones and again at 6-month and 12-month follow-up sessions. The findings from this study aim to improve understanding of alcohol use in close relationships and may inform future strategies for promoting healthier relationships and behaviors.

Detailed description: This study investigates alcohol consumption in romantic relationships. Couples will be recruited to participate in a laboratory-based alcohol administration session, during which they will consume either a moderate dose of alcohol or a non-alcoholic beverage. Following beverage consumption, couples will complete questionnaires and tasks.

The study employs a multi-method approach to assess alcohol in couples, including self-reports and behavioral tasks, both inside and outside of the lab (e.g., using ecological momentary assessment). Additionally, participants' drinking patterns and relationship factors will be tracked over time, with follow-up assessments conducted at 6-months and 12 months post-laboratory session.

The findings from this research will provide insights into the role that alcohol consumption plays in close relationships and may inform interventions to support healthier drinking behaviors and relationship outcomes.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

Both members of the couple must:

* be between the ages of 21 and 30
* regularly consume alcohol
* own a smartphone

Exclusion Criteria:

Neither member of the couple:

* has a history of adverse reaction to the amount of beverage used in the study
* has a history of major problems related to alcohol
* is taking medications that could adversely interact with alcohol
* is pregnant

Primary outcomes:
measure: Social behaviors-observational
timeFrame: During couple interactions in the lab for a total duration of 55 minutes.
measure: Emotions
timeFrame: Immediately after the couple interactions in the lab referenced above.
measure: Social behaviors-self-report
timeFrame: Immediately after the couple interactions in the lab referenced above.
measure: Real-world experiences
timeFrame: The EMA protocol will be completed for 14 days post-lab session.
measure: Longer term alcohol problems
timeFrame: Assessed longitudinally up to 12-months post-lab session.
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Relationship functioning
timeFrame: Assessed longitudinally up to 12-months post-lab session.
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Pittsburgh
country: United States
facility: Carnegie Mellon University
state: Pennsylvania
Study officials:
References: