Research Projects
• George Mason University
• University of Virginia
• Virginia Commonwealth University
George Mason University
Adolescent Nicotine: From the First Experience to Neural Remodeling
Principal Investigator: Bob Smith, Ph.D. Co PI: Craig G. McDonald, Ph.D.
Collaborating Partners: GMU Molecular and Microbiology Department
This year at George Mason University significant progress was made in understanding variables which affect the first nicotine experience, and also in delineating long-term consequences of nicotine. First, a dose-response study on development of nicotine preference was completed, which assessed the interaction of prior stress with various doses of nicotine. Progress continues in assessing neural changes that result from adolescent nicotine. Several studies are now in their early stages evaluating variables that contribute to the first nicotine experience, including a model of bullying and models of prosocial behavior. The belief is still that the first nicotine experience is crucial for the many addictive and brain changes that follow adolescent nicotine, and work continues to understand those.
University of Virginia
Partnering with Rural Youth and Parents to Design and Test a Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drug Use Prevention Program Model
Principal Investigators: Pamela Kulbok, Ph.D., University of Virginia, Peggy Meszaros, Ph.D., Virginia Tech, and Donna Bond, RN, MSN, Carilion Health System
Collaborating Partners: Virginia Tech, Carilion Health System
The purpose of this project is to develop a program, with community involvement, to prevent youth from using tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. This is a partnership between the community, the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Carilion Clinic. Eight youth, seven parents, and four community leaders to come together with the researchers as a team have been identified. The purpose of this team is to identify challenges and opportunities that the youth of this county face in relation to preventing substance use or abuse. Youth in tobacco growing counties have a higher rate of tobacco, alcohol, and drug use than youth in other counties.
A Decision Aid to Reduce Substance Use Risk Behaviors in Medically At-Risk Adolescents: Targeting Persistent Asthma
Principal Investigators: Patricia Hollen Ph.D., RN, FAAN and Mary O’Laughlen, Ph.D., RN, FNP-BC
Collaborating Partners: Virginia Commonwealth University
This program of research is aimed at enhancing care for “medically at risk” adolescents. The major objective of this study is to further test a decision aid for adolescents with asthma that is aimed at difficult decisions related to engaging in risk behaviors. To test the hypothesis that adolescents with persistent asthma who receive a cognitive-behavioral skills program in the clinic setting to enhance decision-making skills (framed within the context of engaging in risk behaviors and their interaction with the disease process and medical treatment) will report increased quality decision making 6- and 12-months post-intervention compared with the usual care/control group; and to explore the hypothesis that adolescents with persistent asthma who receive a cognitive-behavioral skills program in the clinic setting to enhance decision-making skills (framed within the context of engaging in risk behaviors and their interaction with the disease process and related medical treatment) will report (a) maintained or lowered inherent risk motivation and (b) maintained or lowered risk behavior status (in smoking, alcohol consumption, or illicit drug use) 6- and 12-months post-intervention compared with the usual care/control group.
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Youth Tobacco Projects Research Coalition Core
Principal Investigators: Robert Balster, Ph.D., Alison Breland, Ph.D., and J. Randy Koch, Ph.D.
Collaborating Partners: The College of William & Mary, George Mason University, Virginia Tech, James Madison University, University of Virginia, Old Dominion University, Virginia State University, and Virginia Commonwealth University
The Virginia Youth Tobacco Projects (VYTP) Research Coalition was established in 2002 to advance the prevention of youth tobacco use and nicotine dependence through an integrated program of basic and applied research, research translation and dissemination. During FY 2010, the VYTP Research Coalition continued previously successful efforts and implemented new initiatives that contribute to its overall mission. Overall, the VYTP Research Coalition has been extremely successful in building a strong program of research on the causes and prevention of youth tobacco use. It has facilitated the entry of both junior and senior researchers into this field of research and stimulated collaborations across institutional and disciplinary boundaries. Its success can also be seen by the tremendous productivity of its participating faculty, who in FY 2008 submitted 16 grant applications (7 funded), published or submitted for publication over 45 manuscripts, and made more than 20 conference presentations on youth tobacco use.
Exercise as a Prevention and Intervention Strategy for Nicotine Use in Adolescents
Principal Investigators: Darlene H. Brunzell, Ph.D
., VCU; Co-PI: Wendy J. Lynch, Ph.D., UVA
Collaborating Partners: University of Virginia
Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States followed closely by obesity. Most smokers initiate tobacco use during adolescence or young adulthood. Although 80% of smokers report wanting to quit, very few are successful at doing so. The best prognosis is that adolescents never start smoking. Thus, the primary objective of this project is to determine, using animal models, whether exercise might block the initiation of nicotine use. As pharmacotherapies are controversial in teens, another goal of these studies is to determine whether exercise will promote nicotine cessation.
Translating Research into an Evidence-Based Model Curriculum
Principal Investigators: Earl Dowdy, Ph.D.
Collaborating Partners: Amherst County Schools, Appomattox County Schools
The Model Curriculum formed a Health Promotion Curriculum Collaborative (HPCC) among selected university faculty and staff and public school administrators and teachers, to produce a model tobacco-use-prevention and healthy-eating program for use in public schools in Virginia. The HPCC consists of four VCU faculty members, a graduate student, a consultant (retired public school teacher/administrator) two current middle-school health and PE teachers, and two working public school administrators. The group has met six times to outline and plan elements of the Model Curriculum. We expect the curriculum to consist of 8 class sessions for 6th grade students covering the following topic: Introduction to Adolescent Health, Physical Activity and Health, Food and Nutrition (1), Food and Nutrition (2), Exercise and Health, Tobacco Use Effects, Social Influences on Tobacco Initiation and Use, Media Literacy and Media Influences on Health.
Tobacco Use among Youth Receiving Public Behavioral Healthcare Services
Principal Investigators: Alison Breland, Ph.D., J. Randy Koch, Ph.D., and Jessica Irons, Ph.D.
Collaborating Partners: Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Services Board
, Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services, Piedmont Community Services, Rappahannock Area Community Services Board, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority
Adolescents with behavioral healthcare problems are particularly vulnerable to tobacco initiation and dependence. However, the extent to which tobacco-related issues are being addressed within behavioral healthcare settings is unknown. Thus, better understanding the issues surrounding the assessment and treatment of tobacco use/dependence among adolescents in behavioral healthcare settings, from both a patient and organizational perspective, is critical. Gaining a better understanding of tobacco-related issues in this population could lead to a reduction in barriers to treatment. The proposed study includes several phases to better understand the prevalence of tobacco use among youth receiving public behavioral healthcare services and how behavioral healthcare providers (i.e., community services boards; CSBs) address tobacco use among their adolescent clients. During the first phase of the study, retrospective chart reviews are being conducted at four Virginia public behavioral healthcare agencies, for youth aged 13-17 who were admitted for mental health and/or substance abuse treatment during FY09. Data collected included diagnosis, data on tobacco use, the method used for tobacco use screening, and the extent to which tobacco is addressed in the treatment plan.
