Alcohol and Sexual Communication for Domestic Violence

Overseen By Ruschelle M Leone, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver

Must not be taking: Oral steroids

Disqualifiers: Alcohol treatment, Asthma, Head injury, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 1 day

480 Participants Needed

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.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it excludes participants who use medications that would make alcohol consumption unsafe. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the clinical site.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Alcohol (Ethanol), Direct Sexual Communication, Indirect Sexual Communication for domestic violence?

Research shows that integrating alcohol treatment with interventions for domestic violence can lead to better outcomes, such as reduced physical aggression and injury. Alcohol use is linked to increased partner violence, and addressing it alongside communication strategies may improve intervention success. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is alcohol consumption safe in the context of domestic violence and sexual communication?

Research indicates that alcohol consumption is linked to increased aggression and violence, including domestic violence and sexual assault. Alcohol use by perpetrators can lead to more severe violence and negative outcomes for victims. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

How does the drug Alcohol (Ethanol) differ from other treatments for domestic violence?

This treatment is unique because it focuses on the role of alcohol consumption in increasing the likelihood of domestic violence, suggesting that addressing alcohol use could significantly reduce partner violence. Unlike other treatments that may focus solely on behavioral interventions, this approach integrates alcohol treatment as a key component to improve outcomes in domestic violence interventions. ^{3 4 10 11 12}

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

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

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete baseline surveys measuring demographic factors, alcohol use, sexual communication, and daily experiences

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants are assigned a beverage condition (alcohol or no-alcohol control) and a sexual communication condition (direct or indirect verbal). They consume the beverage and complete a laboratory assessment of sexual violence

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any immediate effects post beverage consumption and assessment

1 hour

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Alcohol (Ethanol)
• Direct Sexual Communication
• Indirect Sexual Communication

Trial Overview 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.

Participant Groups

Group I: No Alcohol + Indirect Sexual Communication Experimental Treatment 2 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 Communication Experimental Treatment 2 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 Communication Experimental Treatment 2 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 Communication Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

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

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Colorado, Denver

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,842

Recruited

3,028,000+

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Collaborator

Trials

865

Recruited

1,091,000+

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

ADVANCE integrated group intervention to address both substance use and intimate partner abuse perpetration by men in substance use treatment: a feasibility randomised controlled trial. [2021]

2. Spain pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized Clinical Trial of a Brief Alcohol Intervention as an Adjunct to Batterer Intervention for Women Arrested for Domestic Violence. [2023]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improving violence intervention outcomes by integrating alcohol treatment. [2021]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The occurrence of partner physical aggression on days of alcohol consumption: a longitudinal diary study. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Associations between expectancies of alcohol and drug use, severity of partner violence, and posttraumatic stress among women. [2021]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Alcohol and sexual assault. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sexual assault perpetrators' alcohol and drug use: the likelihood of concurrent violence and post-sexual assault outcomes for women victims. [2010]

8. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Type of alcohol drink and exposure to violence: an emergency department study. [2021]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The relationship of alcohol to injury in assault cases. [2019]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Daily Associations Between Alcohol Consumption and Dating Violence Perpetration Among Men and Women: Effects of Self-Regulation. [2019]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Does the alcohol make them do it? Dating violence perpetration and drinking among youth. [2022]

12. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reasons for alcohol use in maritally violent men. [2019]