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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how alcohol and communication styles between couples can affect intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV). The study tests different combinations of alcohol consumption and communication styles to assess their impact. Couples in the Denver area who drink alcohol and have been in a sexual relationship for at least a month are invited to participate. The research aims to determine if alcohol use and indirect communication (less straightforward ways of talking) increase the likelihood of IPSV. As an unphased study, this research offers participants the opportunity to contribute to a deeper understanding of relationship dynamics and their effects on IPSV.

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.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that drinking alcohol is linked to more incidents of violence between partners. One study found that alcohol use by a partner led to a 2.78% increase in such incidents. Another study identified a strong link between alcohol misuse and a higher risk of partner violence. Heavy drinking can create dangerous situations in relationships, leading to violence and other negative outcomes.

These studies focus on how drinking affects behavior in relationships, highlighting the risks of alcohol use, especially regarding partner communication and interaction. While these studies do not specifically address the safety of alcohol use in this trial, they emphasize the general risks of alcohol on relationships.

Prospective participants should consider these findings when thinking about joining a study involving alcohol use. It is crucial to weigh the potential risks and discuss any safety concerns with the research team. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how alcohol consumption and different types of sexual communication between partners might influence domestic violence. Unlike traditional approaches that focus on counseling and behavioral therapy, this trial delves into the dynamics of communication—either direct or indirect—and how these can be affected by the presence or absence of alcohol. By examining these factors, researchers hope to uncover new insights into how alcohol and communication styles can impact relationship dynamics and potentially inform novel strategies to reduce domestic violence.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for intimate partner sexual violence?

This trial will explore the effects of alcohol consumption and sexual communication styles on domestic violence. Research has shown that alcohol use closely links to violence between partners. Studies have found that when a partner drinks alcohol, it can slightly increase the chances of violence, with alcohol involved in 25% to 50% of these cases. In this trial, some participants will drink alcohol and receive either direct or indirect communication about their sexual preferences from their partner. Evidence suggests that indirect communication while drinking might raise the risk of violence. Although direct communication might help, alcohol still significantly affects behavior related to partner violence. These findings highlight the complex relationship between drinking and partner violence. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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

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

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

Timeline for a Trial Participant

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)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: No Alcohol + Indirect 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 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 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 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+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5719482/

Alcohol use and intimate partner violence among women ... Results of this study suggest that partner alcohol use is a robust correlate of IPV in SSA; however, drinking norms may independently relate to IPV.

2. bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-024-19932-6

Impact of partner alcohol use on intimate partner violence ... Partner alcohol use contributed to a 2.78% increase in intimate partner violence according to the estimated average treatment on treated values.

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0749379719301692

Alcohol Policies and Alcohol Involvement in Intimate ... Alcohol use was prevalent among victims of IPV homicide, and more-restrictive alcohol policies were associated with reduced odds of alcohol involvement.

4. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/16549716.2023.2185967

Full article: The association between alcohol consumption ... No significant association was found between low-risk alcohol consumption and perpetration of any IPV form. Hazardous drinking was found to be associated with ...

5. academic.oup.com academic.oup.com/alcalc/article/60/5/agaf045/8220752

Alcohol use, prohibition policies, and bidirectional intimate ... This study examines associations between husbands' alcohol use and bidirectional intimate partner violence (IPV)—defined as both IPV ...

6. bmjopen.bmj.com bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/3/e066486

Partner alcohol consumption and intimate partner violence ... This study found partner alcohol consumption to be significantly and positively associated with intimate partner violence.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4350239/

Intimate Partner Violence and Drinking Among Victims of ... Results show heavy alcohol consumption and problem drinking were associated with intimate partner violence history, sexual assault by strangers/acquaintances, ...