The Candidate is seeking a Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (MRSDA; K01) in order to develop an independent program of research on adolescent alcohol use, sexual risk behavior and sexual victimization. Ultimately, this program of research will be applied to prevention. The award will provide the time and resources necessary for the candidate to receive extensive mentoring, training, and supervised research experience. Proposed career development and training activities include: (a) an examination of the relevant literature; (b) ethics training; (c) statistical training; (d) development of instruments for assessing risk behavior over time; and (e) training in the development of cognitive-based prevention programs appropriate for an adolescent population.
The specific aims of this research are: 1) to gain a preliminary understanding of adolescent perceptions of risk and how these perceptions influence decision-making related to risk behavior; 2) to examine the predictors of adolescent alcohol use and sexual behavior; 3) to study the impact of age of onset of alcohol use and sex on negative sexual outcomes; and 4) to gain an understanding of the contexts in which adolescents initiate risk behavior and experience sexual victimization. Maria Testa, Ph.D. and Michael Windle, Ph.D. will serve as co-Preceptors on this award. Consultants are Julie Downs, Ph.D., Baruch Fischhoff, Ph.D., and Jonathon Tubman, Ph.D. This team will provide the expertise in adolescent alcohol use, sexual risk behaviors, sexual victimization, and cognitive-based interventions. The resources at the Research Institute on Addictions provide the ideal environment for developing a career in alcohol research, and for conducting the research outlined in this proposal.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
5K01AA015033-02
Application #
7125168
Study Section
Health Services Research Review Subcommittee (AA)
Program Officer
Freeman, Robert
Project Start
2005-09-25
Project End
2010-08-31
Budget Start
2006-09-01
Budget End
2007-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$113,488
Indirect Cost
Name
State University of New York at Buffalo
Department
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
038633251
City
Buffalo
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14260
Livingston, Jennifer A; Testa, Maria; Windle, Michael et al. (2015) Sexual risk at first coitus: Does alcohol make a difference? J Adolesc 43:148-58
Livingston, Jennifer A; Bay-Cheng, Laina Y; Hequembourg, Amy L et al. (2013) Mixed Drinks and Mixed Messages: Adolescent Girls' Perspectives on Alcohol and Sexuality. Psychol Women Q 37:38-50
Testa, Maria; Livingston, Jennifer A; VanZile-Tamsen, Carol (2011) Advancing the study of violence against women using mixed methods: integrating qualitative methods into a quantitative research program. Violence Against Women 17:236-50
Bay-Cheng, Laina Y; Livingston, Jennifer A; Fava, Nicole M (2011) Adolescent Girls' Assessment and Management of Sexual Risks: Insights from Focus Group Research. Youth Soc 43:1167-1193
Livingston, Jennifer A; Testa, Maria; Hoffman, Joseph H et al. (2010) Can parents prevent heavy episodic drinking by allowing teens to drink at home? Addict Behav 35:1105-12
Livingston, Jennifer A; Hequembourg, Amy; Testa, Maria et al. (2007) Unique Aspects of Adolescent Sexual Victimization Experiences. Psychol Women Q 31:331-343