Live Poster Session: my zoom link
Priya Devavaram
Priya is a sophomore at Wesleyan majoring in Psychology and English. She is from Boston, Massachusetts and enjoys reading and playing music.
Abstract: Alcohol abuse, specifically the frequent and extensive consumption of alcohol in one sitting, is an issue that many people in the United States struggle with, especially in the absence of accessible mental health support care. Binge drinking is a dangerous habit that can cause a multitude of chronic health issues and in some cases, death (CDC, 2023). Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System demonstrated that in 2022, nearly 17% of adults in America were binge drinkers (CDC, 2023). Therefore, investigating predictors of alcohol misuse is an important way to work on changing this health crisis. The nature and quality of relationships with primary caregivers is a key part of childhood development. There is a well-evidence connection between the kind of parent-child relationship one has is likely to affect psychological issues later in life. In learning about risk factors for alcohol abuse then, it is relevant to ask how someone’s relationship to their parent in child may influence later alcohol abuse, or specifically binge drinking. Literature regarding this topic has shown that having a close relationship to a parent (or with parents) is associated with lower levels of substance use (Kuntsche, 2004). My specific research question is how do levels of closeness with parents in childhood connect to the development of binge drinking habits later in life. Additionally, I consider how the presence of close friendships in childhood potentially affect this interaction.
Devavaram-QAC-Final-poster.pptx-3