Psychology ETDs

Publication Date

11-15-2021

Abstract

Classifying people with alcohol use disorder into homogenous groups based on observed characteristics (i.e., phenotypes) could match individuals to specific treatments. The reward-relief phenotype classifies individuals based on whether they drink to enhance rewarding experiences and/or to relieve negative states. The current study is a secondary data analysis of a community sample of non-treatment seeking heavy drinkers (n = 189) and two randomized clinical trial samples of individuals with alcohol use disorder (n = 1726, 1383) that aimed to determine if the reward-relief phenotype is identified across samples, is stable over time, and predicts long-term alcohol consumption and consequences. We found the four-profile reward-relief phenotype replicated, and the baseline phenotype predicted drinking outcomes in all samples. However, only in the non-treatment-seeking sample was the phenotype stable over time. Though further research is warranted, there is evidence that group membership by the reward-relief drinking phenotype could predict drinking outcomes over time.

Degree Name

Psychology

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Psychology

First Committee Member (Chair)

Katie Witkiewitz

Second Committee Member

Eric Claus

Third Committee Member

Nathan Pentkowski

Language

English

Keywords

alcohol use disorder, reward drinking, relief drinking

Document Type

Thesis

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