Illuminating Proximal Relational Dynamics to Enhance Initial Recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The goals of this Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award are two-fold: (1) evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary clinical utility of measuring dyadic relational processes during early recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD) using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to identify novel proximal dynamics influencing early recovery outcomes and inform intervention designs targeting relational mechanisms in both patients and romantic partners, and (2) establish the principal investigator as an independent researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard Medical School. The specific aims of this research will be accomplished through an innovative study leveraging the strengths of dyadic ecological momentary assessment and qualitative interviewing to collect interpersonal dynamics data within couples during initial recovery. This research will serve as the methodological foundation for future studies illuminating relational dynamics between people in recovery and close supportive others to understand how the proximal social context impacts recovery outcomes. Further, this innovative study will inform interpersonal treatment approaches and will characterize the cycle of shame and intentional withholding of information in initial recovery. Aims of the principal investigator’s career development and training plan include: (1) Extend expertise in etiology of addiction to recovery science; (2) Cultivate independent skills in social processes, couples’ interactions, and dyadic momentary data collection and data analysis; (3) Develop expertise in qualitative research; and (4) Foster transition from mentored postdoctoral training to independent translational clinical scientist. These goals will be achieved through an interactive training plan comprised of mentorship, formal coursework, seminars, conferences, and manuscript preparation. Knowledge gained via the training plan will be augmented and enhanced through research endeavors planned throughout the funding period. Drs. John Kelly, Jaye Derrick, Aidan Wright, and Christina Psaros will serve as mentors on this award, and will provide expertise in couples interactions, dyadic processes and dyadic ecological momentary assessment, dyadic analytic approaches, qualitative measurement, and addiction recovery science. Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard Medical School provides an exceptional environment in which to conduct research and launch a career as an independent scientist engaged in alcohol use disorder treatment development. By the end of the 5-year award period, the goals are to validate an interpersonally-focused ecological momentary assessment battery to be used in a larger study of early recovery with key supports beyond romantic partners in the context of an R01, to accumulate initial content necessary for an R34 submission to create just-in-time interventions for couples experiencing an initial recovery attempt, and for the PI to be established as an independent investigator. This award is consistent with NIAAA’s 2024-2028 strategic plan to explore the behavioral, environmental, and social mechanisms that impact recovery outcomes to advance research on recovery from AUD (Goal 4, Objective 3).
