Current Pilot Projects

Sex/gender related differences in reasons for using cannabis and perceived problem severity

Kathryn Gex, Ph.D.

Cannabis use is increasing across the lifespan, especially among women. Given that women progress more rapidly from first use to use disorder onset (telescoping), understanding sex/gender differences across the lifespan in reasons for use and the perceived severity of cannabis consequences is critical for prevention and intervention efforts. Improved understanding of these phenomena will enhance the efficacy of existing prevention/early intervention approaches for adolescents and young adults, as well as inform the development of needed education programs sought by mid-life and older adults. Thus, the goal of this study is to begin to address important gaps in the literature regarding: 1) reasons for cannabis use among mid-life and older adult men and women and how these reasons are associated with use and problems at different life stages, and 2) perceived severity of cannabis consequences and how this may relate to continued cannabis use.

 

Examining sex differences in empathy in autistic children

Rosmary Ros-Demarize, Ph.D.

The study will examine cognitive and emotional empathy in a sample of autistic children and adolescents (ages 8-17) using approaches to fairly weight research participants by sex. The sample will include male and female autistic children with and without comorbid oppositional defiant or conduct disorder(ODD/CD) diagnoses. This study uses a novel approach in that it connects reported empathy to reported aggressive and prosocial behaviors, capturing both internal states and related behaviors. Further, the current study will make use of the national SPARK cohort and the SPARK Research Match program, which allows researchers to combine already collected data (sociodemographic, CBCL, Vineland) with study specific data(empathy measures) to reduce participant burden and strengthen the feasibility of the proposed project.