HRB-2021-Secondary data analysis of GUI datasets for alcohol and other drugs study

Description

The Health Research Board (HRB) is a state agency that supports research and provides evidence to prevent illness, improve health and transform patient care. The HRB has 65 staff. Our annual budget is in excess of €45m and we manage a research investment portfolio of approximately €200m. The agency is funded mainly by the Department of Health, and Board members are appointed by the Minister for Health. Summary The Growing up in Ireland (GUI) study is a major national cohort study and illustrates development of a large sample of subjects from childhood, through adolescence and into early adulthood. As part of the programme of monitoring and research supporting the implementation of the national drugs strategy, the Department of Health have asked the HRB to explore what insight can be gained from an analysis of GUI datasets. The study has three broad objectives: • Identify personality traits, cognitive attributes, family characteristics, educational experiences, peer group, environmental and socio-demographic indicator categories associated with classes of substance use behaviour. • Design models to predict membership of classes of substance use behaviour and health, social, cognitive, and emotional consequences of membership of these classes. • Provide policymakers and practitioners with evidence that will enable them to identify patterns in substance use among children and young adults and design evidence-based and targeted interventions in the most appropriate settings. The project The HRB invites proposals to undertake an analysis of GUI datasets as set out in this document. The HRB welcomes proposals from individual institutions or two or more institutions working together or from an institution working in collaboration with an independent researcher or researchers. The project will be completed over a period of three years and will begin in early 2022