PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT High-intensity drinking (HID; 8+/10+ drinks for females/males) is a distinct form of excessive alcohol use that results in significant, even life-threatening, physical and psychological consequences. Fifteen percent of young adults have engaged in HID in the past two weeks, and this form of drinking most often occurs in social settings. Characteristics of the drinking context (e.g. alcohol availability, demographic composition of the event) are associated with levels of alcohol consumption; however, current interventions for young adult alcohol misuse do not address real-time risk factors in the drinking context. The proposed Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award (K01) will provide Dr. Cox with the training and mentorship to become an independent behavioral scientist focused on the prevention of young adult alcohol misuse. The objective of the proposed research is to identify risk factors in the immediate drinking context for HID among young adults and use this information to develop and pilot test a just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) that addresses the identified risk factors to reduce HID and associated consequences. To achieve her long-term career goals, Dr. Cox requires additional training. This K01 will provide the necessary support for Dr. Cox to pursue the following scientific training objectives: (1) obtain skills in the design of mHealth intervention approaches, (2) execute experimental designs to test interventions for young adult alcohol misuse, (3) gain proficiency in priority selection of behavior change techniques for intervention strategies, and (4) enrich statistical capacities in the analysis of intensive longitudinal data. These objectives will be met through a comprehensive training plan that consists of one-on-one meetings, didactics/trainings, mentor-directed readings, seminars/lab meetings, scientific meetings, and hands-on research experience. To support these goals, Dr. Cox has a mentoring team comprised of leading researchers in all of these areas that each have a record of successful NIH-funded research and extensive mentoring experience. Skills gained through the training plan will be put into action through the execution of the complementary research plan. Aim 1 is to determine JITAI decision points by identifying factors in the drinking context that are uniquely associated with HID via a 4-week study using ecological momentary assessment with 50 young adults (ages 18-24). Aim 2 is to iteratively develop a JITAI that addresses identified risk factors to prevent HID among this population. Aim 3 is to pilot test the JITAI to a) assess its feasibility and acceptability, and b) explore preliminary effects on HID. This research is consistent with NIAAA’s initiative to develop effective prevention strategies that address the risks for consequences that result from excessive drinking or other forms of alcohol misuse. The proposed study will provide data for Dr. Cox’s first R01 p...