Stress, Saliva, and Spirits: The Effects of Acute Psychosocial Stress on Alcohol Craving, Motivation to Consume Alcohol, and Physiological Correlates

Stress, Saliva, and Spirits: The Effects of Acute Psychosocial Stress on Alcohol Craving, Motivation to Consume Alcohol, and Physiological Correlates

Presenter(s)

Olivia Dobiesz

Comments

1:00-1:20, Kennedy Union 331

Description

Stress has been identified as an important risk factor for the onset and maintenance of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Accordingly, the present study seeks to explore the link between stress and alcohol-related measures, specifically by analyzing how fluctuations in subjective and biological measures of stress affect craving and choice for alcohol.The present study utilizes a variation of the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) to acutely induce stress in participants. Participants will be randomly assigned to complete either the TSST or a non-stress equivalent procedure which will serve as the control. Saliva samples will be collected in order to assess fluctuations in the stress biomarker alpha amylase in response to the TSST. Heart rate and heart rate variation will also be measured throughout the experimental session as an additional measure of the physiological stress response. Participants will be asked to fill out a series of questionnaires pertaining to perceived levels of stress, anxiety, and affect before and after completing the TSST. Upon completion of the TSST, participants will complete a series of alcohol-related questionnaires that measure: frequency of alcohol use, magnitude of alcohol craving, risk for developing AUD, anticipated effects of alcohol use, hypothetical alcohol choice behavior, occurrence of negative alcohol-related consequences, and level of engagement in non-drug related activities. We expect to see an increase in subjective and physiological markers of stress post-TSST, correlated with an increase in alcohol craving in those who are at-risk for developing AUD. The aforementioned measures will allow us to identify factors that may influence the decision to consume alcohol or engage in non-alcohol related activities. In turn, this would allow us to develop a more complete understanding of the relationship between stress and alcohol-related behaviors which may relate to the development of AUD.

Publication Date

4-23-2025

Project Designation

Honors Thesis

Primary Advisor

Tracy R. Griggs

Primary Advisor's Department

Psychology

Keywords

Stander Symposium, College of Arts and Sciences

Institutional Learning Goals

Practical Wisdom; Critical Evaluation of Our Times; Vocation

Stress, Saliva, and Spirits: The Effects of Acute Psychosocial Stress on Alcohol Craving, Motivation to Consume Alcohol, and Physiological Correlates

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