We are inviting 14-17 year old teens from the UCSF Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine Clinic to participate in a research study that uses a computer game focused on preventing alcohol use.

What is INSPIRE?

INSPIRE was designed using innovative computer technology to address the real challenges all teens face in navigating alcohol use. In INSPIRE, players make choices about drinking by participating in an unfolding story that addresses issues of peer pressure, social norms, and consequences of alcohol use. By participating in this study, teens will have the opportunity to build confidence, increase knowledge, and enhance skills to avoid alcohol use and promote healthy choices. Additionally, teens will receive a gift certificate for participating!

The trailer below provides a 90-second introduction to INSPIRE’s storyline. Click to watch, or scroll to read more about our research team and how to get involved in this study.

Research Team

The INSPIRE team includes psychologists, computer scientists, pediatricians, digital artists, and health IT experts in a joint effort between University of California San Francisco and North Carolina State University. The Principal Investigator on this project at UCSF is Dr. Elizabeth Ozer, and she is joined by co-investigators Dr. James Lester and Dr. Jonathan Rowe at NC State University. More information about the research team is available on the INSPIRE website.

This work has been funded by the National Science Foundation and National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health to develop INSPIRE, an innovative game designed to reduce risky alcohol use in teens.

What does the study involve?

The study involves a 30-minute videogame-like experience in which teens navigate a virtual high-school house party and make in-the-moment decisions as the main character of the game. Teens can participate from home using a personal computer or Chromebook. Teens will also be asked to complete a short online questionnaire before and after playing the game. The total amount of time involved is approximately 1 hour. Teens will receive a $35 gift card for their time and participation.

Interested in enrolling? Would like to ask more questions? Let us know!

If you are interested in participating in the INSPIRE study, please contact us by providing your name, email address, and phone number below.

A research team member will contact you soon to provide more information about the study and how you can enroll. Participation in this study requires a parent’s or guardian’s permission as well as teens’ agreement to participate in this study.

Read more about the INSPIRE project on our website: here