# Identifying High-Risk Situations through Human Spatial Behavior and Cognitive developmental Cues and Triggers in Relapse Prevention

> **NIH NIH R01** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $156,955

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Project Summary: Cognitive behavioral treatments have been found to facilitate knowledge and
behavior patterns that help guide individual action in adaptive ways.
cognitive-based
assists
among
Previous research shows that
visual representation strategy for counseling improves treatment engagement and
clients with healthy decision making and aids in reducing cognitive and social deficits common
drug users in treatment.To further investigate the social and ecological impacts on treatment
engagement and relapse, the proposed supplement seeks to employ a cognitive mapping framework to
explore the development and acquisition of spatial behavior and how these behaviors interact with
relapse and treatment engagement outcomes. Using a multi-sensory research approach and
phenomenological qualitative research design, we will recruit 30 participants enrolled in the parent
study and a sub-sample (15 participants) will complete a follow-up interview 90-days after the initial
interview. Semi-structured interviews will be used to capture human spatial behavioral patterns in
relapse treatment. The proposed supplement will further aid in the development of the trainee's
behavioral intervention skills with focus on examining how people produce and experience space in
relapse prevention treatment. The following overarching training objectives include training in (1)
cognitive behavioral intervention development, (2) GIS and activity space skills, and (3) Mhealth
cognitive behavioral treatment approaches to relapse prevention.
Project Aims:
Aim 1: Examine the interactions between human spatial behavior and social, cultural factors within the
context of relapse prevention.
 a. Geographic and participant visual illustrations of 30 participant interactions within their
 physical and social environment will be mapped during in-depth interviews and thematically
 analyzed to assess social and psycho-geographic notions of place, social relationships, and
 cognitive pro-cesses in relapse prevention.
Aim 2: Examine the developmental processes of human spatial behavior across stages of treatment.
 a. Following a sub-set of 15 participants, visual illustrations mapped during in-depth interviews
 will be assessed twice within a 90-day window of the initial assessment. The follow-up interview
 will assess variations and changes in social and psycho-geographic notions of place, social
 relationships, and cognitive pro-cesses across developmental stages of relapse prevention.
Aim 3: Explore the acceptability of cognitive mapping behavioral approaches to relapse prevention
including possible ways to integrate in technology.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10402646
- **Project number:** 3R01AA025954-04S1
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Trace S Kershaw
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $156,955
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-09-20 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10402646

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10402646, Identifying High-Risk Situations through Human Spatial Behavior and Cognitive developmental Cues and Triggers in Relapse Prevention (3R01AA025954-04S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10402646. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*