Peer Influences in Alcohol and Sexual Violence Among Marines Dyads

The goal of this experimental study is to examine the complex and multifaceted influence of peers on alcohol-involved sexual violence perpetration (ASVP) in U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) men. The specific aims are: Aim 1: Use ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to examine event-level effects of one's own alcohol use, peer alcohol use, and injunctive norms on ASVP intentions among dyads of Marine men who drink together (n=160 dyads; 320 total participants). Aim 2: Examine the individual and peer effects on ASVP behavior in an experimental paradigm with a gender x confederate (potential victim) intoxication status design. In-the-moment dyad-peer verbalized encouragement for ASVP ("go cues") will be assessed by qualitatively coding verbalizations during the interaction. Aim 3: Examine modifiable risk factors on ASVP intentions in vivo (Aim 1; EMA) and ASVP behavior in vitro (Aim 2; experiment) settings. Participants will complete: 1) an individual orientation session with informed consent, baseline assessment, and EMA demo; 2) 14 days of EMA completed individually; and 3) a dyadic session to complete an experimental paradigm via videoconferencing. All study procedures will be completed in off-duty time as to not interfere with military duties.

NCT Number	NCT07256275
Lead Sponsor	Georgia State University Collaborators: Medical University of South Carolina, University of Colorado Health, University of Washington
Conditions	Peer Influence, Alcohol-Involved Sexual Violence Perpetration
Enrollment	320 participants
Start Date	2026-03-18
Primary Completion	2030-07-01 (estimated)
Study Completion	2030-08-31 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-03-19