Brian T. Wymbs, Ph.D. - US grants

Project Summary: The primary aims of this study are to: (1) Evaluate whether risk of perpetrating intimate partner aggression (IPA) when intoxicated is greater among young adults (aged 21 to 35 years) with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than young adults without ADHD, and (2) Investigate whether certain biological, neurological, and dispositional risk factors that may strengthen the risk of adults with ADHD perpetrating IPA when intoxicated. The long-term goal of this research is to evaluate whether alcohol consumption is a more potent risk factor for IPV in young adults with than without ADHD and, if so, to reduce their risk of IPA perpetration by including interventions to reduce their risk in existing treatments for ADHD. Young adults with ADHD are at-risk for IPV perpetration, and preliminary evidence indicates that problematic alcohol use is more likely to predict IPA among young adults with ADHD than those without ADHD. However, it remains unclear whether young adults with ADHD are more likely to perpetrate IPA when under the influence of alcohol and when provoked. Furthermore, investigations are needed to test whether specific biological (e.g., testosterone:cortisol ratio), neurological (e.g., behavioral inhibitory control), and dispositional risk factors (e.g., alcohol-aggression expectancies) identify adults with ADHD at increased risk of perpetrating IPA when intoxicated and provoked. To address these gaps in our knowledge, 66 heterosexual couples including young adults with ADHD and 34 heterosexual couples including young adults without ADHD will be recruited to participate in an alcohol administration study. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive an alcoholic beverage or to receive a non-alcoholic beverage, and afterwards their level of partner-directed aggression in response to provocation will be unobtrusively measured via laboratory-based aggression task. We hypothesize that intoxicated adults with ADHD will perpetrate more severe IPA when provoked than sober adults with ADHD or adults without ADHD, regardless of being intoxicated or sober. Among adults with ADHD, we also hypothesize that individuals who are intoxicated and have specific biological, neurological, and/or dispositional traits will perpetrate more severe alcohol-facilitated IPA when provoked than intoxicated adults with ADHD but without the same traits, or adults with ADHD who are sober, regardless of their biological, neurological or dispositional traits. Finally, we hypothesize that adults with ADHD who have multiple risk factors will be at greatest risk of IPA perpetration when intoxicated.

This project is funded from the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites program in the SBE Directorate. It has both scientific and societal benefits, and it integrates research and education. The goal of this REU site program is to provide undergraduate students with an in-depth, hands-on experience focused on gaining clinical research skills for children with social, emotional, and behavioral problems (SEB). Students are trained in the application of the scientific method to develop hypotheses, and trained on how to design and conduct research studies on treatment-related issues for children with SEB. Students are also trained in the ethical conduct of research. Students are mentored by full-time, Ph.D.-level faculty members who have strong programs of research. Faculty members? expertise includes services for children and adolescents with SEBs, parent-related stress and engagement in services for children?s SEB, factors impacting school services for SEB, decision-making for SEB services among parents, providers, teachers, and children, and integrated health systems for children and families with SEB living in rural or underserved settings. As our REU site will include participation of students from underrepresented groups or diverse backgrounds (i.e., rural, first-generation, ethnic or cultural minority, women), we have an opportunity to potentially assist the career trajectories of these students, including enriching their graduate school prospects, career paths, and career options.

There are 4 aims for undergraduate students who participate in this REU: (1) gain experience conducting an independent project in the realm of treatment-related research for youth with SEB; (2) have educational experiences alongside research experiences that will allow them to become better data scientists; (3) be mentored in the requisite skills to apply to and get into top-notch graduate schools in research-related fields; and (4) gain unique experience transferring clinical research findings from science to practice and from practice to science. Two types of activities, research and educational, will allow these aims to be met. The research conducted by students with their mentors will advance understanding of treatments and treatment-related issues for children with SEB. With regular and frequent contact with mentors, students learn all aspects of the research process, including hypothesis formulation, integration and analysis of scientific literature, research design, data collection, data analysis, and the presentation of research findings. Students also attend seminars focused on statistics, research methods, and preparing for the graduate school application process. To maximize exposure to multiple areas of research, they attend seminars in which faculty mentors present data from recent research. Students receive considerable training in the presentation of research findings and have opportunities and financial support to present their findings at regional and national conferences focused on school mental health, treatments, and treatment-related concerns for youth with SEB. Students and mentors work together to submit research reports for publication in peer-reviewed academic journals.