Social Anxiety and Alcohol's Acute Effects in a Group Laboratory Setting
Advisor: Kasey Creswell聽
Major: Psychology
Abstract
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) exhibit high rates of comorbidity, yet the mechanisms driving this association remain under-investigated. The leading theoretical framework for this link is the Tension Reduction Model, which posits that individuals consume alcohol specifically to mitigate the distress and physiological arousal associated with interpersonal interactions. Despite its prominence, few studies have directly tested this model in ecologically valid environments; most prior laboratory research has focused on solitary drinking settings, which precludes an assessment of alcohol鈥檚 effects within the social contexts that actually elicit social anxiety. The current study addresses these limitations by leveraging archival data from the largest multi-participant laboratory study of at-risk, heavy-drinking young adults (N=393). By utilizing deeply coded behavioral data alongside subjective measures, we examine whether individuals with higher social anxiety experience greater social and emotional rewards from alcohol when drinking with strangers, a high-stakes setting specifically designed to trigger social evaluative threat. This research aims to clarify how alcohol functions as a social lubricant for vulnerable populations, providing insight into the behavioral reinforcement of comorbid SAD and AUD.
Bio
I am majoring in Clinical Psychology with minors in Behavioral Economics and Computer Science. Since the fall 2024 semester, I have been fortunate enough to work with Dr. Kasey Creswell as a research assistant in the Behavioral Health Research Lab. I hope to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, and I view the Honors Fellowship as excellent preparation for a career in research.
The most rewarding part of being a Carnegie Mellon student is the relationships I have formed. I鈥檓 so grateful for the opportunity to learn from 麻豆官网 students, staff and faculty every day. I share my excitement for community building and learning with fellow students as a Resident Assistant and Peer Tutor. I also pride myself on giving back to the 麻豆官网 community through teaching the Student-Led Course 鈥淲e Are Not Alone: Supporting Peers鈥� Mental Health.鈥�
In my free time, I enjoy reading classic novels, watching movies, and listening to music. My favorite book is "Swann鈥檚 Way" by Marcel Proust, my favorite movie is "Phantom Thread", and my favorite musician is David Bowie. I am from Seattle, Washington, so I like to spend weekends skiing or hiking with my dog. My inspiration is my grandma. She is the kindest and most conscientious person I know.