Nora E. Charles, Ph.D.

 

Assistant Professor

Department of Psychology
The University of Southern Mississippi

 

Period of Service

August 2011 - July 2015

Dr. Charles completed her postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in the Neurobehavioral Research Laboratory and Clinic (NRLC).

 

In her time with the NRLC, her research focused on family risk for substance use disorder and initiation of substance use and escalation of use from pre- to mid-adolescence.  Major recent findings include determining that the children of people with substance use disorders display increased impulsivity even before they engage in any substance use of their own, and that exposure to stressors during childhood mediates the association between inherited risk for substance abuse and offspring substance use. Together, these results suggest pathways through which having a parent with a substance use disorder may increase risk for substance abuse. Dr. Charles postdoctoral training is funded by a grant from NIDA, Training in Drug Abuse Research: Behavior and Neurobiology (T32-DA031115) and an extramural clinical research loan repayment grant from the National Institutes of Health.

 

Research Project Titles

• Consequences of Adolescent Substance Use on the Development of Impulse Control (R01-DA026868)
• Relating Brain Maturation to Impulse Control and Substance Use Involvement (R01-DA033997)
  

After the NRLC

 

After her postdoctoral fellowship, Dr. Charles went on to accept a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the Department of Psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi. 

Dr. Charles lab webpage.

 

 

Selected Publications/Presentations with the NRLC

Early adolescent trajectories of impulsiveness and sensation seeking in children of fathers with histories of alcohol and other substance use disorders Acheson, A., Lake, S. L., Bray, B. C., Liang, Y., Mathias, C. W., Ryan, S. R., Charles, N. E., and Dougherty, D. M. (2016). Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research,. 40, 2,622-2,630

Altered developmental trajectories for impulsivity and sensation seeking among adolescent substance users Charles, N. E., Ryan, S. R., Bray, B.C., Mathias, C. W., Acheson, A., and Dougherty, D. M. (2016). Addictive Behaviors, 60, 235-241

Child problems as a moderator of relations between maternal impulsivity and family environment in a high-risk sample. Friedman, C. K., Ryan, S. R., Charles, N. E., Mathias, C. W., Acheson, A., Dougherty, D. M. (2016). Substance Use & Misuse, 51, 1264-1273

Pubertal maturation compression and behavioral impulsivity among boys at increased risk for substance use Mathias, C. W., Charles, N. E., Liang, Y., Acheson, A., Lake, S. L., Ryan, S. R., Olvera, R. L., and Dougherty, D. M. (2016). Addictive Disorders & Their Treatment, 15,  61-73.

Clinical and social/environmental characteristics in a community sample of children with and without family histories of Substance Use Disorder in the San Antonio area: A descriptive study Ryan, S. R., Acheson, A., Charles, N. E., Lake, S. L., Hernandez, D. L., Mathias, C. W., and Dougherty, D. M. (2016) Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse, 25, 327-339.

Family functioning as a mediator of relations between family history of Substance Use Disorder and impulsivity Ryan, S. R., Friedman, C. K., Lake, S. L., Mathias, C. W., Charles, N. E., Liang, Y., Acheson, A., and Dougherty, D. M. (2016). Addictive Disorders & Their Treatment, 15, 17-24.

Childhood stress exposure among preadolescents with and without family histories of substance use disorders Charles, N. E., Ryan, S. R., Acheson, A., Mathias, C. W., Liang, Y., and Dougherty, D. M.  (2015). Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 29, 192-200.

Increased Pre- and Early-Adolescent Stress in Youth with a Family History of Substance Use Disorder and Early Substance Use Initiation Charles, N. E., Mathias, C. W., Acheson, A., Bray, B. C., Ryan, S. R., Lake, S. L., Liang, Y, and Dougherty D. M. (2015). Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 44, 1954-1967.

Behavioral impulsivity and risk-taking trajectories across early adolescence in youths with and without family histories of alcohol and other drug use disorders Dougherty, D. M., Lake, S. L., Mathias, C. W., Ryan, S. R., Bray, B. C., Charles, N. E., and Acheson, A.  (2015). Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, 39, 1501-1509.

Aggression as a Predictor of Early Substance Use Initiation among Youth with Family Histories of Substance Use Disorders Mathias, C. W., Duffing, T. M., Acheson, A., Charles, N. E., Lake, S. L., Ryan, S. R., Liang, Y., and Dougherty, D. M. (2015).  Addictive Disorders & Their Treatment, 14, 230-240.

Exposure to stressors during adolescence differs as a function of family histories of substance use disorders and early-onset substance use Charles, N. E., Mathias, C. W., Ryan, S. R., Acheson, A., and Dougherty, D. M. (2015) Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, 39s1, 88a

Reward impulsivity and rapid progression of puberty in boys at increased risk for substance use problems Hernandez, D. L., Mathias, C. W., Charles, N. E., Liang, Y., Acheson, A., Lake, S. L., Ryan, S. R., and Dougherty, D. M. (2015). Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, 39s1, 98a

Early substance use initiation and aggression among youth from families with substance use disorder Mathias, C. W., Duffing, T. M., Acheson, A., Charles, N. E., Lake, S. L., Ryan, S. R., Liang, Y., and Dougherty, D. M. (2015).  Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, 39s1, 132a

Altered developmental trajectories for impulsiveness and sensation seeking among substance using adolescents McCorstin, N. E., Charles, N. E., Mathias, C. W., Ryan, S. R., Acheson, A., and Dougherty, D. M. (2015) Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, 39s1, 98a

Delay discounting differentiates pre-adolescents at high and low risk for substance use disorders based on family history Dougherty, D. M., Charles, N. E., Mathias, C. W., Ryan, S. R., Olvera, R. L., Liang, Y., and Acheson, A.  (2014). Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 143, 105-111.

Predictors of initiation and age of onset of substance-use among at-risk adolescents. Duffing, T. M., Mathias, C. W., Acheson, A., Lake, S. L, Charles, N.E., Ryan, S. R., and Dougherty, D. M., (2014, January). Poster presented at the Fielding Graduate University's Clinical and Media Psychology Winter Poster Session.

Preadolescents with a family history of substance use disorders demonstrate increased consequence sensitivity impulsivity Ford, A., Charles, N. E., Mathias, C. W., Acheson, A., and Dougherty, D.M. (2014, February). Poster presented at the 24th annual meeting of the Texas Research Society on Alcoholism, San Antonio, TX.

Greater exposure to stressful life events during childhood predicts the onset of substance use during early adolescence Charles, N. E., Acheson, A., Mathias, C. W., Sheftall, A. H., and Dougherty, D. M. (2014, March). Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Adolescence, Austin, TX

Greater exposure to stressful life events during childhood predicts the onset of substance use during early adolescence Charles, N. E., Acheson, A., Mathias, C. W., Sheftall, A. H., and Dougherty, D. M. (2014, March). Symposia presented at the 76th annual meeting of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence, San Juan, Puerto Rico

P300 amplitude reduction as a predictor of substance use initiation in the context of family history Duffing, T. M., Mathias, C. W., Acheson, A., Charles, N. E., Ford, A. N., and Dougherty, D. M. (2014, April). Poster presented at annual meeting of the Maryland Psychological Association, Columbia, MD.

Greater exposure to stressors during preadolescence predicts early adolescent substance use Charles, N. E., Mathias, C. W., Acheson, A., & Dougherty, D. M. (2014, May) UTHSCSA Department of Psychiatry 2nd Annual Research and Quality Improvement Day 2014, San Antonio, TX

Preadolescents with a family history of substance use disorders demonstrate increased consequence sensitivity impulsivity Ford, A., Charles, N. E., Mathias, C. W., Acheson, A., & Dougherty, D. M.  (2014, May) UTHSCSA Department of Psychiatry 2nd Annual Research and Quality Improvement Day 2014, San Antonio, TX

Multimodal assessment of the development of impulsivity in adolescents with and without family histories of substance use disorders Newhouse, J., Charles, N. E., Mathias, C. W., Acheson, A., & Dougherty, D. M. (2014, May) UTHSCSA Department of Psychiatry 2nd Annual Research and Quality Improvement Day 2014, San Antonio, TX

At-risk preadolescents who initiate early adolescent substance use have increased attentional impulsivity but no differences in sensation-seeking Hernandez, D. L., Charles, N. E., Mathias, C. W., Acheson, A., and Dougherty, D. M. (2014, June). Poster presented at the 24th annual meeting of the Texas Research Society on Alcoholism, San Antonio, TX.

At-risk preadolescents who initiate early adolescent substance use have increased attentional impulsivity but no differences in sensation seeking Hernandez, D. L., Charles, N. E., Mathias, C. W., Acheson, A., and Dougherty, D. M. (2014, June). Poster presented at the 37th annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism, Bellevue, Washington.

Changes in self-reported impulsivity and sensation seeking from age 10 to 15 in youth with and without family histories of substance use disorders McCorstin, S., Charles, N. E., Mathias, C. W., Acheson, A., and Dougherty, D. M. (2014, February). Poster presented at the 24th annual meeting of the Texas Research Society on Alcoholism, San Antonio, TX.

Multimodal Assessment of the development of impulsivity in adolescents with and without family histories of substance use disorders Newhouse, J., Charles, N. E., Mathias, C.,W., Acheson, A., and Dougherty, D. M. (2014, February). Poster presented at the 24th annual meeting of the Texas Research Society on Alcoholism, San Antonio, TX.

A description of familial and environmental characteristics among children at risk for substance use Ryan, S. R., Hernandez, D. L., Charles, N. E., Acheson, A., Mathias, C. W. and Dougherty, D. M. (2014, August). Poster accepted for presentation at the 122nd annual meetings of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.

Motivational value and salience of images of infants. Charles, N. E., Alexander, G. M., Saenz, J.  (2013). Evolution and Human Behavior, 34, 373-381

Exposure to stressful life events mediates the relation between family history of substance abuse and childhood adjustment Charles, N.E., Acheson, A., Mathias, C.W., and Dougherty, D.M. (2013, June) Poster presented at the 75th annual meeting of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence, San Diego, CA.

Exposure to stressful life events mediates the relation between family history of substance abuse and childhood adjustment. Charles, N. E., Acheson, A., Mathias, C. W., and Dougherty, D. M. (2013, June) Poster presented at the 1st annual UTHSCSA Psychiatry Resident Research and Quality Improvement Day, San Antonio, TX

Impulsivity, attention, memory, and decision-making among adolescent marijuana users Dougherty, D. M., Mathias, C. W., Dawes, M. A., Furr, R. M., Charles, N. E., Liguori, A., Shannon, E. E., Acheson, A.  (2013). Psychopharmacology, 226, 307-319.

Reduced Amplitude P3 and Externalizing Psychopathology in Young Adolescents at-risk for Developing Substance Use Disorders. Ford, A. N., Charles, N. E., Mathias, C. W., Acheson, A. and Dougherty, D. M.  (2013, June) Poster presented at the 1st annual UTHSCSA Psychiatry Resident Research and Quality Improvement Day, San Antonio, TX

Children with Family Histories of Alcohol Use Disorders Show a Difference in Delay Discounting and Behavioral Functioning. Hernandez, D. L., Charles, N. E., Acheson, A., Mathias, C. W., and Dougherty, D. M.  (2013, June) Poster presented at the 1st annual UTHSCSA Psychiatry Resident Research and Quality Improvement Day, San Antonio, TX

Children with family histories of alcohol use disorders show greater discounting of delayed rewards Vela-Gude, M., Charles, N. E., Acheson, A., Mathias, C. W., and Dougherty, D. M. (2013, June). Poster presented at the 1st annual UTHSCSA Psychiatry Resident Research and Quality Improvement Day, San Antonio, TX

Children with Family Histories of Alcohol Use Disorders Show Increased Behavioral Problems. Xu, A., Charles, N. E., Acheson, A., Mathias, C. W., and Dougherty, D. M.  (2013, June). Poster presented at the 1st annual UTHSCSA Psychiatry Resident Research and Quality Improvement Day, San Antonio, TX

The effects of a family history of substance use disorders on different components of impulsivity in children Charles, N.E., Acheson, A., Mathias, C.W., and Dougherty, D.M. (2013, June) Symposia presented at the 5th annual meeting of the Behavior, Biology, and Chemistry (BBC) UTHSCSA, San Antonio, TX

Reduced amplitude P3 and externalizing psychopathology in young adolescents at risk for developing substance use disorders Ford, A.N, Charles, N.E., Mathias, C.W., Acheson, A., and Dougherty, D.M. (2013, February) Poster presented at the 23rd annual meeting of the Texas Research Society on Alcoholism, Austin, TX.

Children with family histories of alcohol use disorders show a difference in delay discounting and behavioral function Hernandez, D.L.,Ford, A.N., Charles, N.E., Mathias, C.W., Acheson, A., and Dougherty, D.M. (2012, June) Poster presented at the 36th annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism, Orlando, FL

Children with family histories of alcohol use disorders show greater discounting of delayed rewards Vela-Gude, M., Charles, N. E., Acheson, A., Mathias, C. W., and Dougherty, D. M. (2013, February) Poster presented at the 23rd annual meeting of the Texas Research Society on Alcoholism, Austin, TX.

Children with family histories of alcohol use disorders show increased behavioral problems Xu, A., Charles, N. E., Acheson, A., Mathias, C. W., and Dougherty, D. M. (2013, February) Poster presented at the 23rd annual meeting of the Texas Research Society on Alcoholism, Austin, TX.

Psychopathic traits and their association with adjustment problems in girls. Charles, N. E., Acheson, A., Mathias, C. W., Furr, R. M., Dougherty, D. M.  (2012).     Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 30, 631-642.

Comparing the detection of transdermal and breath alcohol concentrations during periods of alcohol consumption ranging from moderate drinking to binge drinking. Dougherty DM, Charles NE, Acheson A, John S, Furr RM, Hill-Kapturczak N. (2012). Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 20, 373-381.

Children with a family history of alcohol and other drug use disorders show increased discounting of delayed monetary rewards Acheson, A., Hernandez D.L, Ford, A.N., Charles, N.E., Mathias, C.W., and Dougherty, D.M. (2012, February). Poster presented at the 22nd annual meeting of the Texas Research Society on Alcoholism, College Station, TX

Differential performance across multiple measures of impulsivity among children with family histories of substance use disorders Acheson, A., Charles, N.E., Mathias, C.W., and Dougherty, D.M. (2012, June). Poster presented at the 74th annual meeting of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence, Palm Springs, CA

Children with family histories of alcohol and other drug use disorders show increased discounting of delayed rewards Acheson, A., Hernandez, D.L., Ford, A.N., Charles, N.E., Mathias, C.W., and Dougherty, D.M. (2012, June) Poster presented at the 35th annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism, San Francisco, CA

Parental impulsivity is related to preadolescents' stressful life events Charles, N.E., Acheson, A., Mathias, C.W., and Dougherty, D.M. (2012, February). Poster presented at the 22nd annual meeting of the Texas Research Society on Alcoholism, College Station, TX

Parental impulsivity is related to preadolescents' stressful life events Charles, N.E., Acheson, A., Mathias, C.W., and Dougherty, D.M. (2012, March). Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality Assessment, Chicago, IL

Comparing transdermal and breath alcohol concentration readings during periods of alcohol consumption from moderate to binge drinking Dougherty, D.M., Cates, S.E., Charles, N.E., Acheson, A., John, S., Furr, R. M., Hill-Kapturczak, N. (2012, June). Poster presented at the 35th annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism, San Francisco, CA

Children with family histories of alcohol and other drug use disorders experience increased childhood adversity Hernandez, D.L., Ford, A.N., Charles, N.E., Mathias, C.W., Acheson, A., and Dougherty, D.M. (2012, June) Poster presented at the 35th annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism, San Francisco, CA

Hispanic children at risk for developing alcohol and drug use disorders have increased externalizing behaviors Ford, A.N., Hernandez, D.L., Charles, N.E., Mathias, C.W., Acheson, A., and Dougherty, D.M. (2012, June) Poster presented at the 35th annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism, San Francisco, CA

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