Understanding the Associations Between Romantic Relationship Conflict, Psychophysiological Responding and Alcohol Misuse Among Emerging Adults

Inclusion criteria

• Age 21-29 years old
• Must be in a committed romantic relationship of at least 3 months duration
• Must report at least 2 HED episodes in the past 30 days (5 or more drinks within 2 hours for males, 4 or more drinks within 2 hours for females)
• Must self-report that they have - on at least three occasions during the past year - consumed a quantity of alcohol that is equal to or greater than the standard dose administered for their weight in the laboratory

Exclusion criteria

• Meeting DSM-5 criteria for a history of or current neurological, psychotic, or bipolar disorders
• History of self-reported head trauma requiring medical treatment
• Body weight exceeding 250 pounds
• Current enrollment in treatment or seeking treatment for a substance or alcohol use disorder
• Current suicidal or homicidal intent
• Serious cardiovascular health conditions (e.g. pacemaker, cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension) that may alter normative cardiac functioning
• Treatment on medications such as lithium, methadone, alpha or beta blockers or cholinergic/anticholinergic medications likely to confound normative cardiovascular responding or response to alcohol administration. Stimulant or benzodiazepine medication use is permissible provided participants do not take medication on the day of study participation
• Severe and/or unilateral physical IPV with your current partner at any time
• Sexual IPV with current partner at any time
• Fear of current partner
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Severe Alcohol Use Disorder (as defined by the DSM-5)
• Current diagnosis of anorexia or bulimia