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Does Attachment Anxiety Moderate the Influence of Social Rejection on Alcohol Use Among Young Adults?

PERSONALITY, SOCIAL DYNAMICS, & CONSUMPTION PREFERENCES - STUDY 2

Who can join

Ages 21 to 25 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome

Inclusion Criteria:

* Individuals must be 21-25 years of age;
* Individuals are not pregnant;
* Individuals have no history, or current diagnoses, of alcohol, drug, or psychiatric problems;
* Individuals have no medical conditions, current or chronic, contraindicating alcohol use in the study;
* Must be a regular drinker who is willing to taste a vodka-based beverage as part of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Individuals who are pregnant;
* Individuals who have any medical or psychiatric problems that contraindicate the tasting of alcohol;
* Individuals taking any medication or other substance that may interact negatively with the effects of alcohol;
* Individuals who have substance abuse problems, or think they might have a substance abuse problem.

About the study

Research shows that heavy drinking patterns are linked to many harmful consequences including death, sexual assault, risky sexual behavior, and drug use. Given such harmful consequences, it is important to identify the risk-factors for heavy "in-the-moment" drinking. This study examines a potent, socially motivated trigger to problem drinking-namely, social rejection. In the present study, we employ a between-subjects experimental design with a sample of young adults (N=152; aged 21-25 years; 50% female) to examine how social rejection experiences are associated with drinking behavior as a function of attachment anxiety, changes in pain experience, and self-control.

What is being tested

• Social Rejection Feedback (behavioral)
• Social Acceptance (behavioral)

Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Wilmington · Participants: 152 · Started: Oct 5, 2026

Contact the study team

• Richard S Pond, Ph.D. · Phone: 910-962-3372

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07905430

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Social Isolation

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Nov 15, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.