Process-Based Psychological Processes in Alcohol Use Disorder: A Case-Control Study Using PBAT, PHQ-9, and GAD-7

NCT07551830 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: PBATADD2026
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 200
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This observational study investigates differences in psychological processes and emotional symptoms between individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and a non-clinical control group. PBAT, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 will be used. MANCOVA will test group differences controlling for demographics.

Conditions

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Keywords

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD); Process-Based Assessment Tool (PBAT); depression; anxiety

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Process-Based Assessment Tool

  The scale involves the depiction of psychological and behavioral processes involved in adaptation and maladaptation, according to the Extended Evolutionary Meta-Model. The scale includes 18 items, each involving a stand-alone, individual score, indicating the degree to which the responder engages in the specific process. The scale comprises both positive and negative behavioral strategies.

  After enrollment (single time point).

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

  After enrollment (single time point).

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)

  After enrollment (single time point).

Study Arms (2)

Clinical

AUD diagnosis

Control

Healthy participants

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Primary care clinic, community sample.

You may qualify if:

• age ≥18, the ability to provide informed consent, no psychiatric diagnosis (for the control group).

You may not qualify if:

• severe cognitive impairment, psychosis, inability to complete questionnaires.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures: lead

Study Sites (1)

George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures

Târgu Mureş, Mureș County, 540142, Romania

Location

Related Publications (4)

• Popa CO, Schenk A, Cojocaru CM, Gyorgy M, Sava FA, Marian S, Popoviciu H, Szasz S. A Transdiagnostic Approach in Psychodiagnosis: The Romanian Adaptation of the Process-Based Assessment Tool (PBAT). Behav Sci (Basel). 2025 Dec 8;15(12):1697. doi: 10.3390/bs15121697.

  PMID: 41464040 BACKGROUND

• Wang Y, Tian J, Yang Q. Experiential Avoidance Process Model: A Review of the Mechanism for the Generation and Maintenance of Avoidance Behavior. Psychiatry Clin Psychopharmacol. 2024 Jun 1;34(2):179-190. doi: 10.5152/pcp.2024.23777. eCollection 2024 Jun.

  PMID: 39165887 BACKGROUND

• Karekla M, Georgiou K, Lamprou E. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Substance Use Disorders. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2025 Sep;48(3):537-550. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2025.02.008. Epub 2025 Apr 7.

  PMID: 40738532 BACKGROUND

• de Aguiar ACL, Bloc LG. Transdiagnosis of alcohol use and psychopathologies: A systematic review. Addict Behav Rep. 2024 Apr 4;19:100543. doi: 10.1016/j.abrep.2024.100543. eCollection 2024 Jun.

  PMID: 38628974 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Alcoholism; Depression; Anxiety Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Alcohol-Related Disorders; Substance-Related Disorders; Chemically-Induced Disorders; Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Octavian C. Popa, Assoc.Prof.

CONTACT

+40745092686; cosmin.popa@umfst.ro

Cristiana M. Cojocaru, Lecturer

CONTACT

+4-757867711; cristiana-manuela.cojocaru@umfst.ro

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor Dr.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 16, 2026
• First Posted: April 27, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2028
• Last Updated: April 27, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

RO (1)