Emotion Regulation Interventions for Alcohol-Related Sexual Aggression

Alcohol-Related Sexual Aggression: An Emotion Regulation Intervention

Rates of sexual assault are alarmingly high, and alcohol is consistently implicated in the majority of these assaults. Despite well-intentioned prevention efforts, this pandemic continues unabated, warranting the development of novel and innovative approaches to the reduction of sexual aggression. The goal of this research is to evaluate the efficacy of two brief online emotion regulation interventions for reducing alcohol-related sexual aggression in heavy episodic drinking young men with a sexual aggression history. Previous research suggests that emotion regulation difficulties are associated with both alcohol consumption and aggressive behavior. Despite the potential prevention utility of improving sexually aggressive men's emotion regulation skills in order to reduce their alcohol-related sexual aggression, this approach has yet to be explored. Thus, this study evaluates the effects of two brief online ER interventions - cognitive restructuring and mindfulness - on men's emotion regulation during a sexual aggression-related analogue. Additionally, these effects will be evaluated during both sober and intoxicated states through a laboratory- based alcohol administration experiment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Single
• Male
• Age 21-30
• Heterosexually active within past year
• Heavy episodic drinker
• Self-reported history of sexual aggression

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of alcohol problems
• Medical condition or medications that contraindicate alcohol consumption