Can family talks prevent teen drinking?
Researchers at The University of Texas at Arlington have received a new five-year, $3.33 million federal grant to support a study aimed at helping families have more effective conversations about alcohol use.
Underage drinking remains a significant public health challenge in the United States, with 12.7 million people ages 12 to 20 reporting they had consumed at least one drink in their lives, according to the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The study, led by the UT Arlington Studying Alcohol and Related Risks (STARR) Lab, will expand a family-based program aimed at preventing adolescent alcohol use by addressing social media influences and strengthening early, effective communication between parents and teens.
“This is really a combined effort from years of expertise and collaboration around adolescent alcohol use, web-based interventions, families and social media,” said Dana Litt, the principal investigator on the study and a UTA social work professor. “It’s exciting to see our combined expertise come together in a way that we think will create something strong for the community.”
Dr. Litt and coinvestigator Melissa Lewis, also a professor at UTA’s School of Social Work, codirect the STARR Lab, which focuses on developing innovative approaches to prevent and reduce substance use among adolescents and young adults. A key takeaway from their work is that even before someone uses a substance, they have thoughts about it. Based on that finding, the researchers are targeting younger adolescents—ages 12 to 17—in this study than in previous research.
Related: Thinking peers drink more drives risky behavior
“By targeting younger ages, we’re encouraging parents and teens to think about these issues earlier,” Dr. Lewis said. “Having these conversations sooner is better, especially since exposure to alcohol—particularly through social media—is already there.”
Additionally, the researchers plan to make the intervention more accessible by offering both English and Spanish versions.
If the study successfully demonstrates reduced alcohol use and stronger communication about social media and alcohol use, the researchers said, the same principles could be applied to other issues, such as vaping.
“From our focus groups, we know parents have a range of concerns, so this program is meant to be a flexible tool for discussing whatever their family needs at the time,” Lewis said.
Related: One in four teens face violence, higher substance use
To ensure flexibility and real-world practicality, the STARR Lab is collaborating with several Dallas-Fort Worth–based organizations, including Challenge of Tarrant County, SMART Arlington, Lena Pope, Recovery Resource Council and JPS Health Network, so the final intervention is something community partners want to use and share as a free resource. The effort aligns with UTA’s broader mission to advance community-engaged research and deliver high-impact solutions beyond the classroom.
“We don’t want this research to stall. The goal is that the final product is ready for broad use,” Litt said. “The idea is that UTA becomes a trusted hub where families can go for information and support on issues like social media and alcohol use.”
The research team also includes collaborators from UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Dallas, the University of Washington and the University of North Texas Health Science Center.
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.