Emotion Regulation Interventions for Alcohol-Related Sexual Aggression

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.

Participants will receive a brief online training regarding the use of cognitive restructuring skills to cope with negative emotions. They will then consume an alcoholic beverage in the lab.

Participants will receive a brief online training regarding the use of mindfulness skills to cope with negative emotions. They will then consume an alcoholic beverage in the lab.

Participants will receive general information about nutrition. They will then consume an alcoholic beverage in the lab.

Participants will receive a brief online training regarding the use of cognitive restructuring skills to cope with negative emotions. They will then consume a non-alcoholic beverage in the lab.

Participants will receive a brief online training regarding the use of mindfulness skills to cope with negative emotions. They will then consume a non-alcoholic beverage in the lab.

Participants will receive general information about nutrition. They will then consume a non-alcoholic beverage in the lab.

Participants receive didactic instruction regarding cognitive restructuring skills and then practice using these skills in hypothetical situations.

Participants receive didactic instruction regarding mindfulness skills and then practice using these skills in hypothetical situations.

Sexual Aggression Intentions Scale. Construct: Self-reported ratings of sexual aggression likelihood in a hypothetical scenario. Minimum value of 1 ("Very unlikely"). Maximum value of 7 ("Very likely"). Higher scores mean a worse outcome.

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