# Mechanisms of social identity, social networks, and recovery capital: Implicationsfor recovery

> **NIH NIH K01** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2021 · $181,794

## Abstract

This Mentored Research Scientist Development application (K01) will provide protected time for Dr. Emily
Hennessy to develop a new focused program of research investigating social networks, social identity, and
recovery capital as mechanisms of behavior change in adolescents with alcohol use disorders (AUD). The
aims of the 5-year career development plan are tightly integrated and will increase Dr. Hennessy's knowledge
and skills in the areas of 1) alcohol-specific recovery processes and trajectories of change; 2) social identity
and social network development/change processes for recovery during adolescence to ensure study design,
findings, and interpretation are theoretically and empirically grounded; 3) social network and mixed methods
study design; and 4) lab management and grantsmanship (e.g., training to write a competitive R01 application).
The career development plan includes frequent structured meetings with mentors, coursework and workshop
attendance, and dissemination of research findings at conferences and publications. Research activities during
the K01 award period include writing systematic reviews of the literature (i.e., manuscript on social network
approaches for youth), examination of K01 mentors' secondary datasets (e.g., manuscripts on adult social
identity mapping data and on emerging adult social network composition), and conducting the K01 research
study (e.g., manuscripts on methods for adapting the SIM approach, qualitative findings from the focus groups,
trajectories of social network and identity transitions among youth with AUDs, influence of social network,
social identity, and recovery capital on alcohol use outcomes). Findings from the research activities will be
disseminated in eight manuscripts submitted to peer-review journals and at relevant conferences. The K01
study is a longitudinal observational study that will utilize a social identity mapping (SIM) approach to examine
social network, social identity, and recovery capital change among adolescents in outpatient treatment. Study
aims include: (1) Pre-testing and refining SIM protocols and delivery through pilot data collection and focus
groups, (2) Mapping transitions in social networks, social identity, and recovery capital of adolescents with
AUDs, and (3) Evaluating the impact of one's social network, social identity, and recovery capital on outcomes
among adolescents with AUDs. Drs. John F. Kelly and Blair T. Johnson are the co-primary mentors on this K01
application and both have nationally and internationally recognized expertise in the areas specific to the aims
of this application (e.g., treatment and recovery research, social processes of change, primary study design
and grantsmanship). Dr. Mark Litt will serve as a co-mentor and Dr. David Best as an other significant
contributor supporting and advising the candidate in selected areas (e.g., longitudinal trajectories of AUD,
social network influence, recovery capital).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10250487
- **Project number:** 5K01AA028536-03
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Emily A Hennessy
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $181,794
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-03-01 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10250487

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10250487, Mechanisms of social identity, social networks, and recovery capital: Implicationsfor recovery (5K01AA028536-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10250487. Licensed CC0.

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