# A Behavioral Economics Approach to Understanding the Association between ADHD and Alcohol Problems in College

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIV OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK · 2021 · $39,720

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental risk-factor for alcohol-related problems and
disorders. Co-occurring ADHD and alcohol problems are associated with long-term morbidity, disability, and
poor treatment prognosis, posing high direct and indirect costs to these individuals and society. College is a
period during which youth with ADHD are especially vulnerable for the escalation of risky alcohol use, yet key
psychological, behavioral, and environmental factors that amplify risk during this critical developmental period
are largely unexamined. The proposed study seeks to integrate foundational components of behavioral
economics (BE) models of addiction and novel daily diary methodology, with the goal to elucidate predictors
and moderators of alcohol problems among college students with and without ADHD. Our first aim is to
simultaneously evaluate baseline differences in multiple BE risk factors (i.e., delay discounting, alcohol
demand, substance-free reinforcement) among college students with and without ADHD. We hypothesize that
students with ADHD will display more delay discounting, evidence more alcohol demand, and report less
substance-free reinforcement relative to their typically-developing peers. We also propose to explore the
independent and interactive effects of baseline BE risk factors and ADHD on the daily patterns of drinking
behaviors, alcohol-related negative consequences, and substance-free reinforcement across 14 days using
daily diary methodology. We hypothesize that both baseline BE risk factors and ADHD will independently
predict riskier drinking behaviors, more negative consequences of drinking, and less daily engagement in
valued substance-free alternatives. Further, the association between ADHD and these outcomes will be
strongest for students with more baseline BE risk factors, relative to students with either ADHD or baseline BE
risks alone. Through the proposed research project and the larger agenda of the training plan, this fellowship
will provide me with all of the foundational skills to launch an independent program of research elucidating BE
risk for alcohol-related problems among high-risk youth.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10228603
- **Project number:** 5F31AA027937-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK
- **Principal Investigator:** Lauren Elizabeth Oddo
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $39,720
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-29 → 2022-07-01

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10228603

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10228603, A Behavioral Economics Approach to Understanding the Association between ADHD and Alcohol Problems in College (5F31AA027937-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10228603. Licensed CC0.

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