Combining ecological momentary assessment and qualitative methods to construct a theoretical model of acute alcohol use and non-suicidal self-injury

About This Grant

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Long-term Objectives: The goal of this project is to develop a theoretical framework explaining why alcohol use is associated with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in order to better understand if and how alcohol increases the likelihood of engaging in NSSI and the harms associated with NSSI. Training in qualitative/mixed methods, ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methodology, statistics, and scientific communication will prepare the applicant for an academic research career investigating the association between alcohol use and NSSI. Specific Aims: The proposed project will (1) use qualitative interviews to develop a preliminary theoretical model for how acute alcohol use impacts NSSI and a tailored EMA battery of items. To examine and refine the preliminary theoretical model, I will then (2) prospectively examine alcohol use, newly defined mechanisms, and NSSI in daily life. Finally, I will (3) conduct cognitive interviews evaluating participant experiences reporting on alcohol use and NSSI in daily life. Cognitive interview data will be used to further refine the initial theoretical model of alcohol use and NSSI. Training Plan: The training plan draws upon the expertise of a highly skilled mentoring team, with knowledge in qualitative and mixed methods (Drs. Banks and Miller-Graff), EMA and its application to examine alcohol use/NSSI episodes (Drs. Carpenter and Trull), and advanced statistical methods (Drs. Lane and Wang). The proposed fellowship will enable the applicant to gain expertise in the association between alcohol use and NSSI, qualitative and mixed method approaches, the design of EMA protocols, as well as quantitative techniques appropriate for intensive longitudinal data. Additionally, the applicant will be prepared for her next career stage by strengthening her scientific communication skills and publication record. Research Design and Method: To build a conceptual model of how acute alcohol use impacts NSSI, this project will use a sequential mixed-methods design, drawing on the strengths of qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative interviews will be used to develop a preliminary theoretical model for how acute alcohol use impacts NSSI. Next, a 21-day EMA protocol will prospectively examine associations between alcohol use and NSSI. EMA will evaluate near real-time changes, which can be used to evaluate the effects of alcohol on NSSI, as well as associations between mechanisms potentially impacted by alcohol and NSSI. Finally, a subset of participants will participate in cognitive interviews after completing EMA. Mixed method information gathered through EMA and cognitive interviewing will be used to refine an initial theoretical model. Significance: The proposed project will explore the processes underlying the established cross-sectional association between frequent, impairing alcohol use and NSSI. A mixed method approach will be used to develop a new conceptual model to explain the effects of acute alcohol use on NSSI.