Promoting Prosocial Bystander Behavior in Intoxicated Men: Evaluation of RealConsent2.0

Promoting Prosocial Bystander Behavior in Intoxicated Men: Evaluation of RealConsent2.0

Sexual violence (SV) is a significant public health problem particularly among 18-24 year old populations. A major risk factor for SV is alcohol use, which via its negative impact on cognitive abilities and decision-making acts as a barrier to intervening in situations at-risk for a SV. This study has two main goals: (1) to determine the effects of proximal alcohol use on young (age 21 to 25) men's prosocial bystander behavior in situations considered at-risk for SV, and (2) to determine the efficacy of an evidence-based, web-based program called RealConsent, which has been augmented to include alcohol-specific content within the context of bystander SV ("RealConsent2.0"), on men's prosocial bystander behavior. The primary study endpoint is prosocial bystander behavior and will be assessed via two modes: (1) a virtual reality (VR) environment ("B-SAVE") and (2) a validated self-report measure of bystander behavior that has been modified to include assessment of proximal alcohol use and presence of alcohol within the context.

Inclusion Criteria:

• identify as a man or transgender man, age (21-25)
• consume weight-based amount of alcohol at least three times during the past year

Exclusion Criteria:

• weight over 250 pounds
• current treatment-seeking for an alcohol use disorder
• any medical or psychiatric condition, as well as current use of a medication, that would contraindicate alcohol administration.
• in a relationship over 6 months
• married/living together
• Neurological Disorder: diagnosis of a neurological disorder
• Psychiatric Disorder: past or current diagnosis of bipolar disorder (I or II), schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or any other psychotic disorder
• Treatment for Alcohol or Drug Use: currently being treated for alcohol, or drug problems; currently interested in seeking treatment for drinking or drug use
• Physical disability: anh physical disability that would prevent an individual from participating in the virtual reality task (self-report and determined)
• Significant Hearing Problems: significant hearing problems that would prevent an individual from hearing and responding to the virtual reality task (self-reported and determined)
• Cardiac Pacemaker
• Asthma: emergency room visit related to asthma in the past year; use of inhaler more frequently when drinking alcohol; use of oral steroid treatments for asthma in the past year;
• Legal: any legal restrictions against drinking (e.g., as a condition of probation or parole)
• Alcohol Abstinence: individuals who consume alcohol monthly or less; individuals who have consumed the amount of alcohol they would be expected to drink during the lab session (determined by their weight) less than 3 times in the last year
• Head Injury: any past serious head injuries (as indicated by HELPS Brain Injury Screening Tool)
• Acute Psychiatric Symptomatology: elevated psychological distress as indicated by a score greater than 65 on the Brief Symptom Inventory