Alcohol and Sexual Communication for Domestic Violence

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?Intimate Partner Sexual Violence (IPSV) is a significant and understudied public health problem among sexual minority (SM) and heterosexual couples, yet little is known about factors that contribute to IPSV perpetration. This proposal aims to determine the acute effect of alcohol and sexual communication on IPSV. In this study, 240 couples (50% SM) who drink alcohol will be recruited from the Metro-Denver area. Upon arrival to the laboratory, a trained research assistant will check the participant's ID, verify that they adhered to the pre-session guidelines, administer a breath test to ensure a breath alcohol content (BrAC) of 0.00 and conduct a field sobriety test. They will also obtain informed consent for each member of the couple separately. Female participants will take a pregnancy test to ensure a negative result. All participants will complete measures to reverify eligibility criteria and be weighed to determine their correct alcohol dose. Partners will separately complete a baseline survey measuring demographic factors, alcohol use, sexual communication, and daily experiences. After completing the survey, participants will be assigned a beverage condition (alcohol or no-alcohol control) and couples will be randomly assigned to a sexual communication condition (direct verbal or indirect verbal). Participants will be seated in a room separate from their partner, where they will drink an alcoholic or no-alcohol control beverage. Upon reaching a breath alcohol content (BrAC) of .08, or immediately after drinking in the No-Alcohol control condition, participants will complete a laboratory assessment of sexual violence. The main hypotheses are: (1) one's alcohol use will increase IPSV toward partners who are also drinking, (2) one's alcohol use will increase IPSV among partners who use indirect, relative to direct, sexual communication, and (3) actor alcohol use will increase IPSV toward partners who are also drinking and use indirect, relative to direct, sexual communication.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for couples from the Metro-Denver area who consume alcohol. It includes both sexual minority and heterosexual pairs. Participants must have a breath alcohol content (BrAC) of 0.00 at the start, adhere to pre-session guidelines, and women must test negative on a pregnancy test.

Inclusion Criteria

Provision of signed and dated informed consent form

My partner and I meet the study's requirements for our sexual orientation and gender identity.

Both partners must report consuming a weight-based amount of alcohol at least three times during the past year via self-report on the NIAAA Alcohol Consumption Measure

+4 more

Exclusion Criteria

Self-report of trying to get pregnant, currently pregnant, currently breastfeeding, or a positive pregnancy test

Combined height and weight falling outside specified ranges as measured during the lab visit

Currently being treated for alcohol or drug problems or interested in seeking treatment for drinking or drug use via self-report

+1 more

Participant Groups

The study examines how alcohol affects intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) by testing two variables: if participants drink alcohol or not, and whether they use direct or indirect verbal sexual communication. Couples are randomly assigned to these conditions in a controlled lab setting.

4Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: No Alcohol + Indirect Sexual CommunicationExperimental Treatment2 Interventions

Participants will be assigned to drink a no-alcohol control beverage and to receive indirect communication about their sexual preferences from their partner.

Group II: No Alcohol + Direct Sexual CommunicationExperimental Treatment2 Interventions

Participants will be assigned to drink a no-alcohol control beverage and to receive direct communication about their sexual preferences from their partner.

Group III: Alcohol Consumption + Indirect Sexual CommunicationExperimental Treatment2 Interventions

Participants will be assigned to drink alcohol and to receive indirect communication about their sexual preferences from their partner.

Group IV: Alcohol Consumption + Direct Sexual CommunicationExperimental Treatment2 Interventions

Participants will be assigned to drink alcohol and to receive direct communication about their sexual preferences from their partner.