Research at IRWG

Dating aggression (physical, verbal, and digital) often accompanies alcohol misuse. Both risk behaviors are common, interrelated causes of psychological distress, injury, and mortality among high-risk, urban emerging adults (ages 18-25). Rates of alcohol misuse increase dramatically and peak during emerging adulthood and dating violence is a growing problem among youth. Furthermore, poverty, violence, and health disparities disproportionately affect emerging adults not enrolled in college, yet this population is rarely studied. High-risk emerging adults often drop out of school and do not have a source of primary medical care, making the emergency department a unique place to access these youth to initiate alcohol and dating aggression interventions.

During the course of this career development award, Dr. Epstein-Ngo will develop and pilot test a targeted 8-session psychotherapeutic intervention to reduce alcohol misuse, associated dating aggression and mental health problems with high-risk emerging adults seeking emergency medical care. This intervention will be delivered by a remotely-located therapist via smartphone or other smart technology.