Sexual Assault and Rape, Risk Behavior, Alcohol Abuse
Conditions
Keywords
Military Personnel, Sexual Assault, Military Sexual Trauma, Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Brief summary
The proposed project will provide data concerning dating and sexual interactions that occur on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in addition to piloting a sexual assault prevention program through the use of social norms and bystander intervention concepts. The investigators will be able to use data and feedback gained from this research to help reduce rates of sexual assault in the military by providing a sexual assault prevention program tailored to at risk male Soldiers that can be disseminated across military posts.
Detailed description
Research has shown that one beneficial preliminary step to sexual assault prevention is the examination of a population's social norms pertaining to sex, dating, and alcohol- use. Studies show that the social norms surrounding these behaviors can be risk factors that increase the likelihood that certain high-risk men will perpetrate sexual assault. Among college-age men, research on social norms has been used to inform the development of a sexual assault prevention program that positively impacts high-risk men. A hallmark of this approach is its exploration of the climate of a given population with regard to sex, dating and alcohol-use, and its use of data gathered to inform the development of a sexual assault program. Researchers have yet to study the effectiveness of this approach in the U.S. Army. It has been well documented that sexual assault in the Army carries a significant threat to the readiness of the force. As such, the Army continues to make strong and laudable efforts to reduce sexual assault. However, there remains a need to better understand how young at-risk men behave in the social situations where sexual assault can occur and what they subjectively believe about these behaviors in order to effectively reduce perpetration. In order to fill this gap, the investigators propose to implement a sexual assault prevention program by using social norms and bystander approach concepts via surveys, interviews and group workshops. The data and feedback from this research have the potential to produce insight that could help leaders and the investigators more effectively promote health in male Soldiers' dating and sexual relationships.
Interventions
OTHERSurveys
The purpose of the surveys is to collect quantitative data to determine the relative impact of the intervention program on participants' sexual behaviors and alcohol use.
OTHERInterviews
These Motivational Interviews aim to promote change in behavior through open-ended questions, affirmations, and reflections.
OTHERGroup Discussions
The purpose of the group workshop is to create discussions surrounding perceived and collective social norms found among male soldiers that have been connected to sexual aggression. These discussions are used to promote bystander intervention among participants and help identify the prosocial attitudes that may be more common than previously perceived.
Sponsors
Rhode Island Hospital
University of North Carolina, Charlotte
Womack Army Medical Center
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 26 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Male * Active-duty Soldier (Active-duty Army, Activated Reservist or National Guardsmen) at Fort Bragg, NC * Between the ages of 18 and 26; usage of 18-26 means at least 18 years of age but less than 27 years of age * Reported having engaged in oral, vaginal, or anal sex within previous 4 months * Able to speak and comprehend English sufficiently to complete the study procedures * Indicate at risk-drinking via an AUDIT-C score \>4
Exclusion criteria
* Screen positive for alcohol withdrawal on the ASWC (score of \> 23) * Report or indicate suicidal or homicidal ideation
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The feasibility and impact of a sexual assault prevention program on active duty male Army Service members, Activated Reservists, and Activated National Guardsmen as assessed by surveys. | 12 months | The purpose of the surveys is to collect quantitative data to determine the relative impact of the intervention program on participants' sexual behaviors and alcohol use. |
| The feasibility and impact of a sexual assault prevention program on active duty male Army Service members, Activated Reservists, and Activated National Guardsmen as assessed by individual Motivation Interviews. | 12 months | These Motivational Interviews aim to promote change through open-ended questions, affirmations, and reflections. |
| The feasibility and impact of a sexual assault prevention program on active duty male Army Service members, Activated Reservists, and Activated National Guardsmen as assessed by group workshops. | 12 months | The purpose of the group workshops is to create discussions surrounding perceived and collective social norms found among male soldiers that have been connected to sexual aggression. These discussions are used to promote bystander intervention among participants and help identify the attitudes that may be more common than previously perceived. |
Countries
United States
Contacts
Primary ContactAmber Lane, BSCR
Outcome results
None listed