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| ID | Type | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| R01AA027381-01A1 | U.S. NIH Grant/Contract | View source |
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| Name | Class |
|---|---|
| National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) | NIH |
| McMaster University | OTHER |
| Arizona State University | OTHER |
| Carilion Clinic |
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In the absence of sufficient monetary resources, individuals must attend to immediate, minimum needs (e.g., food, shelter). This constricts one's temporal window and engenders neglect of the future. In observational studies, scarcity is associated with higher rates of delay discounting. Additionally, socioeconomic status is inversely associated with alcohol use disorder and related problems. Experimentally, scarcity shortens attention, impedes cognitive function, and increases delay discounting in multiple populations. Moreover, scarcity increases demand for fast foods in the obese and increases craving for alcohol in problem drinkers. These data suggest that economic scarcity worsens both components of reinforcer pathology (delay discounting and alcohol overvaluation), thus increasing vulnerability to alcohol use disorder. However, studies investigating the effects of scarcity on alcohol demand discounting rate have been limited. The purpose of Aim 1b is to examine effects of decreasing the temporal window and its concomitant effects on alcohol valuation (demand, and craving) and delay discounting.
Participants will be randomly assigned to experimental or control groups, balanced by discounting rates and sex. We plan to have 112 participants complete the study, based on our power analysis. Participants will complete two online sessions. During the first session, they will complete the baseline assessments. During the second session, they will complete the same assessments after being exposed to the scarcity or control narratives (both in audio format).
The assessment will include delay discounting and demand tasks, and measures of alcohol craving. Participants will also complete assessments of their stress and mood response to the narrative intervention, using the Stress Appraisal Measure (SAM) for two purposes. That is, 1) to monitor participant safety, 2) to measure the mediating ability of affect on changes in the temporal window.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scarcity Narrative | Experimental | Participants assigned to the scarcity group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a sudden loss of resources. |
|
| Neutral Narrative | Sham Comparator | Participants assigned to the neutral group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a neutral change in resources. |
|
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scarcity Narrative | Behavioral | Participants are presented with a hypothetical scarcity narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario. |
|
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Delay Discounting (DD) Rates | DD rates were measured using an adjusting amount task where participants were presented with hypothetical choices between smaller immediate or larger later amounts of money after a range of delays (1 day-25 years). Individual indifference points were calculated for each delay and then used to estimate DD rates for each participant using Mazur's (1987) equation: V = A/(1+kD), where V is the value of the indifference point, A is the amount of the larger delayed reward, k is the discounting rate, and D is the delay. Discounting rates (k) were then natural-logarithmically transformed (ln(k)). Higher ln(k) indicates steeper discounting and greater reward devaluation with increases in delay, while a lower ln(k) reflects shallower discounting and less reward devaluation with increases in delay. Changes in ln(k) were compared within-subjects between S1 and S2. Average ln(k) was calculated for each session (S1 and S2) in each condition (scarcity or neutral). | At the first session (S1; baseline measures) and Session 2 (S2; occurs approximately 2-3 days after S1) |
| Intensity of Alcohol Demand | Participants completed a hypothetical Alcohol Purchase Task where they had to indicate how many drinks they would purchase at different prices ($0 to $80 per drink). The number of drinks purchased at $0 was used to calculate the intensity of demand. Changes in intensity of alcohol demand were compared within-subjects between Session 1 and Session 2, and between narrative type (scarcity or neutral). | At the first session (S1; baseline measures) and Session 2 (S2; occurs approximately 2-3 days after S1) |
| Change in Alcohol Craving | A brief questionnaire (the Alcohol Urges Questionnaire) will be used to assess alcohol craving. The Alcohol Urges Questionnaire is an 8-item survey that produces scores between 8-56, where higher scores indicate greater craving. Change in alcohol craving will be compared within-subjects between Session 1 and Session 2. The scores will be compared between groups (arms) across sessions. | At the first session (S1; baseline measures) and Session 2 (S2; occurs approximately 2-3 days after S1) |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Stress Appraisal Measure | The Stress Appraisal Measure will be used to measure acute stress induced by the intervention. This measure is a 28-item survey that produces scores between 28-140, where higher scores indicate greater stress. Change scores were compared between groups during Session 2, to assess differences in stress level as a function of the narrative presented. | Session 2 (occurs approximately 2-3 days after baseline [S1]) |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen M LaConte, PhD | Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC | Roanoke | Virginia | 24016 | United States |
Investigators will adhere to all NIH requirements regarding data sharing. Participant data collected in this project will be de-identified and made available on a shared secured data repository. We will also share the analysis results. As part of this process, all investigators will be required to agree to the following conditions: 1) will adhere to the reporting responsibilities; 2) will not redistribute the data beyond the requesting individual and named collaborators; 3) will give appropriate acknowledgement; 4) will not use the data for commercial purposes; and 5) will obtain appropriate ethical approvals.
Results from research conducted will be shared and disseminated, including: regular project meetings, annual meetings, symposia, workshops, and/or conferences for related groups. Manuscripts will be written and submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals/conferences, following the NIH Public Access Policy guidelines. All necessary ethical approvals will be obtained.
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Data will be made available upon request after dissemination of results.
Data requests will be reviewed by the principal investigator and data will be shared with the expectation of acknowledgment of funding source and primary study team.
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| ID | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| FG000 | Scarcity Narrative | Participants assigned to the scarcity group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a sudden loss of resources. Scarcity Narrative: Participants are presented with a hypothetical scarcity narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario. |
| FG001 | Neutral Narrative | Participants assigned to the neutral group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a neutral change in resources. Neutral Narrative: Participants are presented with a hypothetical neutral narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario. |
| Title | Milestones | Reasons Not Completed | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Study |
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A total of 124 participants enrolled in the study, with 112 participants (the proposed sample size) completing both sessions. We had additional attrition in the data inspection stage. Participants were included in the analyses if they: 1) completed both sessions, and 2) passed all attention checks programmed in the surveys for both sessions.
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| ID | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| BG000 | Scarcity Narrative | Participants assigned to the scarcity group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a sudden loss of resources. Scarcity Narrative: Participants are presented with a hypothetical scarcity narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario. |
| BG001 |
| Units | Counts |
|---|---|
| Participants |
|
| Title | Description | Population Description | Parameter Type | Dispersion Type | Unit of Measure | Calculate Percentage | Denominator Units Selected | Denominators | Classes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age, Categorical | Count of Participants |
| Type | Title | Description | Population Description | Reporting Status | Anticipated Posting Date | Parameter Type | Dispersion Type | Unit of Measure | Calculate Percentage | Time Frame | Units Analyzed | Denominator Units Selected | Arm/Group Information | Denominators | Classes | Analyses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | Delay Discounting (DD) Rates | DD rates were measured using an adjusting amount task where participants were presented with hypothetical choices between smaller immediate or larger later amounts of money after a range of delays (1 day-25 years). Individual indifference points were calculated for each delay and then used to estimate DD rates for each participant using Mazur's (1987) equation: V = A/(1+kD), where V is the value of the indifference point, A is the amount of the larger delayed reward, k is the discounting rate, and D is the delay. Discounting rates (k) were then natural-logarithmically transformed (ln(k)). Higher ln(k) indicates steeper discounting and greater reward devaluation with increases in delay, while a lower ln(k) reflects shallower discounting and less reward devaluation with increases in delay. Changes in ln(k) were compared within-subjects between S1 and S2. Average ln(k) was calculated for each session (S1 and S2) in each condition (scarcity or neutral). | A total of 124 participants enrolled in the study, with 112 participants (the proposed sample size) completing both sessions. We had additional attrition in the data inspection stage. Participants were included in the analyses if they: 1) completed both sessions, and 2) passed all attention checks programmed in the surveys for both sessions. | Posted | Mean | Standard Error | ln(K-value) | At the first session (S1; baseline measures) and Session 2 (S2; occurs approximately 2-3 days after S1) |
During study participation (approximately 1 week)
These procedures are not more than minimal risk.
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| ID | Title | Description | Deaths (Affected) | Deaths (At Risk) | Serious Events (Affected) | Serious Events (At Risk) | Other Events (Affected) | Other Events (At Risk) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EG000 | Scarcity Narrative | Participants assigned to the scarcity group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a sudden loss of resources. Scarcity Narrative: Participants are presented with a hypothetical scarcity narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario. |
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| Title | Organization | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen LaConte | Virginia Tech | 5405262008 | slaconte@vtc.vt.edu |
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| Type | Includes Protocol | Includes SAP | Includes ICF | Document Label | Document Date | Document Uploaded Date | Document File Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prot_SAP | Yes | Yes | No | Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan | Feb 27, 2024 | May 27, 2025 | Prot_SAP_000.pdf |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D000437 | Alcoholism |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D019973 | Alcohol-Related Disorders |
| D019966 | Substance-Related Disorders |
| D064419 | Chemically-Induced Disorders |
| D001523 | Mental Disorders |
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| OTHER |
| University of Kentucky | OTHER |
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| Neutral Narrative | Behavioral | Participants are presented with a hypothetical neutral narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario. |
|
| Neutral Narrative |
Participants assigned to the neutral group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a neutral change in resources. Neutral Narrative: Participants are presented with a hypothetical neutral narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario. |
| BG002 | Total | Total of all reporting groups |
| Participants |
|
| Age, Continuous | Mean | Standard Deviation | years |
|
| Sex: Female, Male | Count of Participants | Participants |
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| Ethnicity (NIH/OMB) | Count of Participants | Participants |
|
| Region of Enrollment | Count of Participants | Participants |
|
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|
|
|
| Primary | Intensity of Alcohol Demand | Participants completed a hypothetical Alcohol Purchase Task where they had to indicate how many drinks they would purchase at different prices ($0 to $80 per drink). The number of drinks purchased at $0 was used to calculate the intensity of demand. Changes in intensity of alcohol demand were compared within-subjects between Session 1 and Session 2, and between narrative type (scarcity or neutral). | A total of 124 participants enrolled in the study, with 112 participants (the proposed sample size) completing both sessions. We had additional attrition in the data inspection stage. Participants were included in the analyses if they: 1) completed both sessions, and 2) passed all attention checks programmed in the surveys for both sessions. | Posted | Mean | Standard Error | Drinks | At the first session (S1; baseline measures) and Session 2 (S2; occurs approximately 2-3 days after S1) |
|
|
|
|
| Primary | Change in Alcohol Craving | A brief questionnaire (the Alcohol Urges Questionnaire) will be used to assess alcohol craving. The Alcohol Urges Questionnaire is an 8-item survey that produces scores between 8-56, where higher scores indicate greater craving. Change in alcohol craving will be compared within-subjects between Session 1 and Session 2. The scores will be compared between groups (arms) across sessions. | A total of 124 participants enrolled in the study, with 112 participants (the proposed sample size) completing both sessions. We had additional attrition in the data inspection stage. Participants were included in the analyses if they: 1) completed both sessions, and 2) passed all attention checks programmed in the surveys for both sessions. | Posted | Mean | Standard Error | score on a scale | At the first session (S1; baseline measures) and Session 2 (S2; occurs approximately 2-3 days after S1) |
|
|
|
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| Secondary | Change in Stress Appraisal Measure | The Stress Appraisal Measure will be used to measure acute stress induced by the intervention. This measure is a 28-item survey that produces scores between 28-140, where higher scores indicate greater stress. Change scores were compared between groups during Session 2, to assess differences in stress level as a function of the narrative presented. | A total of 124 participants enrolled in the study, with 112 participants (the proposed sample size) completing both sessions. We had additional attrition in the data inspection stage. Participants were included in the analyses if they: 1) completed both sessions, and 2) passed all attention checks programmed in the surveys for both sessions. | Posted | Mean | Standard Error | score on a scale | Session 2 (occurs approximately 2-3 days after baseline [S1]) |
|
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|
| 0 |
| 62 |
| 0 |
| 62 |
| 0 |
| 62 |
| EG001 | Neutral Narrative | Participants assigned to the neutral group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a neutral change in resources. Neutral Narrative: Participants are presented with a hypothetical neutral narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario. | 0 | 62 | 0 | 62 | 0 | 62 |
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