Proximal Effects of Alcohol on Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence

Proximal Effects of Alcohol on Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence

We will recruit sexual and gender minority couples to complete 56 days of daily surveys in order to evaluate (1) the impact of COVID-19 stress and sexual and gender minority stress on heavy episodic drinking and intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration, and (2) a brief, mobile-phone delivered text messaging intervention to mitigate the effects of these stressors. This project has high potential to inform how pandemic stress contributes to etiological models of alcohol-related IPV perpetration in sexual and gender minority couples and inform a culturally-sensitive, low burden, and easy to disseminate intervention to mitigate these effects critical during a pandemic when access to care is limited.

Inclusion Criteria (applies to both partners):

• Both partners must identify as cisgender and sexual minority or at least one partner must identify as a gender minority (i.e., one's gender identity is non-congruent with their sex assigned at birth)
• 21 years or older
• In an intimate relationship lasting at least one month in which there are at least 2 days of face-to-face contact each week
• Consumption of 4 (assigned female at birth) or 5 (assigned male at birth) alcoholic drinks on at least three days in the past year

Exclusion Criteria:

• Seeking treatment or being in recovery for an alcohol or substance use disorder.
• Endorsement of severe physical IPV (e.g., use of a weapon) in the past year.
• Women who self-report that they are trying to get pregnant, that they are currently pregnant, or that they are currently breastfeeding .