Self-Regulation Research by OIBR Fellow, Assaf Oshri
Self-regulation may hold the key to helping young adults overcome their risk for developing alcohol and drug problems, according to recent research led by OIBR Fellow Assaf Oshri, an associate professor in the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences.
The study looked at 225 non-college-educated adults aged 18-25 from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who grew up in rural areas. The research team found that young adults who experience abuse as children have a higher risk for developing alcohol and drug problems. These same young adults also have a decreased ability to self-regulate, or avoid impulsive decision-making in socially stressful situations.
Dr. Oshri pointed to the results as evidence of the need for family-focused preventive intervention programs for adolescents that target self-regulation, in hopes of better identifying factors that promote resilience among youth.
To read more about this research, go here.