# Unraveling the dynamic between alcohol use and consequences in college women: Modern perspectives on the menstrual cycle, advanced statistics, and team science strategies

> **NIH NIH F31** · RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J. · 2022 · $36,913

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Despite consuming less total volume of alcohol over the lifespan than men, women who drink alcohol are at
increased risk for experiencing a myriad of alcohol-related physical diseases, psychiatric disorders, social
consequences, and victimization. Yet, research to uncover biological determinants of these health disparities,
such as hormonal fluctuations that occur across women’s menstrual cycles, has been inconclusive. This
application seeks to bring contemporary best practices for improving rigor of menstrual studies to the field of
alcohol studies. In line with Goal 1 of the 2019-2023 Trans-NIH Strategic Plan, “Advancing Science for the
Health of Women,” this application will use novel analytical approaches to unravel the dynamics between
women’s individual menstrual cycle patterns, alcohol use, and proximal consequences. Findings may identify
female-specific factors (e.g., hormonal contraceptive use) and vulnerable time points (e.g., certain menstrual
phases) whereby risk for alcohol use and related consequences may be heightened. The proposed study will
augment an ongoing 2-year longitudinal study (R01AA027017) aimed at characterizing the effects of college
drinking and related health behaviors on cardiovascular health. The parent study includes two in-person
laboratory sessions and weekly e-surveys that gauge the prior week’s alcohol use behaviors. The proposed
study leverages the sample, survey data, and allostatic load conceptual framework from the parent study’s
female participants and adds the use of a menstrual tracking smartphone application and ovulation verification
across 3 menstrual cycles to examine whether alcohol use (Aim 1) and consequences (Aim 2) are influenced
by the menstrual cycle, and whether the association between them varies across multiple cycles (Aim 3). The
proposed study also seeks to expand the parent’s study’s assessment of alcohol consequences to more
comprehensively assess risk levels of given drinking episodes. Hierarchical linear modeling and time-varying
effect models will be used to evaluate the dynamics of alcohol use and consequences and examine hormonal
contraception (an often-excluded factor) as a moderator. The applicant is applying through the NIAAA F31
mechanism to specifically expand her opportunities to obtain extensive training in alcohol studies (Training
Goal 1), which will complement her prior training in physiology, and establish an independent line of research
at the intersection of alcohol studies and women’s health. To complete the proposed study, the applicant will
receive additional training in menstrual study theory and design (Goal 2), intensive longitudinal data analysis
(Goal 3), and professional development (Goal 4). The research and training plan will lay the foundation for the
applicant’s future line of research to examine biopsychosocial factors that contribute to the development of
alcohol use problems and physical disease in women across the lifespan. Re...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10537284
- **Project number:** 1F31AA030178-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J.
- **Principal Investigator:** Kelsey Piersol
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $36,913
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10537284

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10537284, Unraveling the dynamic between alcohol use and consequences in college women: Modern perspectives on the menstrual cycle, advanced statistics, and team science strategies (1F31AA030178-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10537284. Licensed CC0.

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