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Alcohol Myopia, Objectification, and Sexual Assault

Primary Purpose

Alcoholic Intoxication

Status
Completed
Phase
Not Applicable
Locations
United States
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Alcohol intoxication
Objectification
Sponsored by
University of Nebraska Lincoln
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional basic science trial for Alcoholic Intoxication focused on measuring Alcohol intoxication, Alcohol use, Drinking, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Aggression, Attention, Victimization, Public health

Eligibility Criteria

21 Years - 30 Years (Adult)All SexesAccepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 21-30 years of age
  • at least social drinkers
  • single
  • men attracted to women, women attracted to men

Exclusion Criteria:

  • current/past alcohol dependence (as assessed by a score of 8 or higher on the Alcohol Dependence Scale), alcohol-related treatment, or hospitalization due to alcohol use
  • any past serious head injuries (as indicated by HELPS Brain Injury Screening Tool)
  • serious psychological symptoms (defined as past psychotic, paranoid, or bipolar disorders, or current major depression)
  • abstinence from alcohol use
  • a condition or medication use in which alcohol consumption is medically contraindicated
  • any legal restriction against drinking (e.g., as condition of probation or parole)
  • presence of a positive breath alcohol concentration (BAC) upon arrival to the laboratory
  • if the participant is less than six feet tall and weighs over 250 pounds or is over six feet tall and weighs over 300 pounds
  • if a female participant is pregnant

Sites / Locations

  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm 2

Arm 3

Arm 4

Arm 5

Arm 6

Arm Type

Experimental

Placebo Comparator

Experimental

Experimental

Experimental

Placebo Comparator

Arm Label

Males and Alcohol Intoxication

Males and Placebo Control

Females and Alcohol Intoxication and Objectifying Gazes

Females and Alcohol Intoxication and Eye Gazes

Females and Placebo Control and Objectifying Gazes

Females and Placebo Control and Eye Gazes

Arm Description

Men assigned to alcohol intoxication arm (target BAC .08%)

Men assigned to placebo control arm

Women assigned to alcohol intoxication arm (target BAC .08%) and objectifying gazes arm

Women assigned to alcohol intoxication arm (target BAC .08%) and eye gazes arm

Women assigned to placebo control arm and objectifying gazes arm

Women assigned to placebo control arm and eye gazes arm

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Laboratory analogue of sexual aggression
After learning that a woman does not like sexual media, male participants choose to show her a sexually explicit video or control video (selection of the sexually explicit video indicates more sexual aggression)
Sexual assault vignette measure of risk perception
Female participants read 18 vignettes describing a sexual interaction between a man and a woman that gets progressively riskier for sexual assault and indicate when they would leave the interaction (scores range from 1-18 and higher scores indicate worse risk perception)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Eye-tracking measure of sexual objectification
Male participants wear a portable eye tracker and discuss media preferences with a female confederate while dwell time on the female confederate's face and body is monitored (longer dwell times on the woman's body and shorter dwell times on the woman's face indicate more sexual objectification)
Eye-tracking measure of self-objectification
Female participants wear a portable eye tracker and interact with a male confederate in front of a mirror while dwell time on the participant's body is monitored (longer dwell times on the participant's body indicates more self-objectification)
Object brief-implicit association task
On a computer, male participants sort stimuli words representing the categories object (e.g., tool), human (e.g., person), women (e.g., female), and men (male). Participants must respond as quickly and accurately as possible to categorize the words on a computer screen to object, human, women, and men categories via a computer key press. Responding faster to object and woman words and slower to woman and human words indicates implicit objectification of women
Self-object brief-implicit association task
On a computer, female participants sort stimuli words representing the categories object (e.g., tool), human (e.g., person), me (e.g., self), and others (them). Participants must respond as quickly and accurately as possible to categorize the words on a computer screen to object, human, me, and others categories via a computer key press. Responding faster to object and me words and slower to human and me words indicates implicit self-objectification.
Self-report state mindful attention awareness scale
Male and female participants self-report how attentive they feel on a 0 to 6 point scale (averaged lower scores indicate more mindful attention awareness)
Self-report other-objectification questionnaire
Male participants self-report how frequently they objectified the female confederate on a 1 to 6 point scale (averaged higher scores indicate more other-objectification)
Self-report self-objectification questionnaire
Female participants self-report how important appearance related attributes (e.g., sex appeal) are important to their self-concept relative to non-appearance attributes (e.g., hobbies) on a 0 to 9 point scale. Appearance attributes and non-appearance attributes are separately summed and non-appearance attribute scores are subtracted from appearance attribute scores (higher scores indicate more self-objectification)
Saliva collection
Female participants provide saliva samples to assess cortisol associated with stress responses

Full Information

First Posted
May 2, 2019
Last Updated
July 6, 2023
Sponsor
University of Nebraska Lincoln
Collaborators
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT03956238
Brief Title
Alcohol Myopia, Objectification, and Sexual Assault
Official Title
Integrating Alcohol Myopia and Objectification to Understand Sexual Assault
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
July 2023
Overall Recruitment Status
Completed
Study Start Date
April 22, 2019 (Actual)
Primary Completion Date
December 31, 2022 (Actual)
Study Completion Date
December 31, 2022 (Actual)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Sponsor
Name of the Sponsor
University of Nebraska Lincoln
Collaborators
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

4. Oversight

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product
No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product
No
Data Monitoring Committee
Yes

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
The present project integrates previous research on factors associated with alcohol-involved sexual assault, with research on how intoxication alters attention and social perceptions in ways that increase the risk of sexual aggression and victimization. Specifically, this project examines whether alcohol intoxication on the part of a male perpetrator impairs attentional capacity and leads to a narrowing of the perceptual field causing a dehumanizing perspective of women as sexual objects for men's pleasure rather than individuals with thoughts and feelings, thereby increasing the propensity for sexual aggression. The present research also examines whether women's responses to this sexual objectification from men interfere with risk perception in sexual situations, particularly when women are drinking, increasing the likelihood of sexual victimization.
Detailed Description
These studies will provide a comprehensive test of our proposed model of alcohol-involved sexual assault that includes situation-specific mechanisms and key moderators of sexual violence. Specifically, hypotheses will be tested in the context of two carefully controlled laboratory studies. In Study 1, laboratory alcohol administration procedures will be used to manipulate intoxication (vs. placebo control) in men. Impaired attention and objectification will then be measured multi-modally including behavioral, self-report, and implicit measures. Finally, sexual aggression will be measured with a laboratory-based analogue of sexual assault. Study 2 will include women and follow the same alcohol administration procedures as Study 1. Additionally, mirroring men's objectification, objectifying gazes (vs. eye gazes) will also be manipulated. Impaired attention, self-objectification, and decreased sexual risk perceptions will then be assessed. Prior the laboratory visit, all participants will complete a battery of questionnaires to assess key moderators including a history of sexual assault perpetration and victimization, prior sexual objectification and self-objectification, as well as alcohol-related sex expectances and rape myth acceptance. The overall model will be analyzed within a conditional process model framework.

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Alcoholic Intoxication
Keywords
Alcohol intoxication, Alcohol use, Drinking, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Aggression, Attention, Victimization, Public health

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Basic Science
Study Phase
Not Applicable
Interventional Study Model
Parallel Assignment
Masking
Participant
Allocation
Randomized
Enrollment
359 (Actual)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
Males and Alcohol Intoxication
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Men assigned to alcohol intoxication arm (target BAC .08%)
Arm Title
Males and Placebo Control
Arm Type
Placebo Comparator
Arm Description
Men assigned to placebo control arm
Arm Title
Females and Alcohol Intoxication and Objectifying Gazes
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Women assigned to alcohol intoxication arm (target BAC .08%) and objectifying gazes arm
Arm Title
Females and Alcohol Intoxication and Eye Gazes
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Women assigned to alcohol intoxication arm (target BAC .08%) and eye gazes arm
Arm Title
Females and Placebo Control and Objectifying Gazes
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Women assigned to placebo control arm and objectifying gazes arm
Arm Title
Females and Placebo Control and Eye Gazes
Arm Type
Placebo Comparator
Arm Description
Women assigned to placebo control arm and eye gazes arm
Intervention Type
Behavioral
Intervention Name(s)
Alcohol intoxication
Intervention Description
Men and women assigned to moderate alcohol dose condition (target BAC .08%) or placebo control condition with NIAAA approved alcohol administration procedures
Intervention Type
Behavioral
Intervention Name(s)
Objectification
Intervention Description
Women assigned to objectifying gazes condition or eye contact control condition
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Laboratory analogue of sexual aggression
Description
After learning that a woman does not like sexual media, male participants choose to show her a sexually explicit video or control video (selection of the sexually explicit video indicates more sexual aggression)
Time Frame
20 minutes post alcohol or placebo dosing
Title
Sexual assault vignette measure of risk perception
Description
Female participants read 18 vignettes describing a sexual interaction between a man and a woman that gets progressively riskier for sexual assault and indicate when they would leave the interaction (scores range from 1-18 and higher scores indicate worse risk perception)
Time Frame
20 minutes post alcohol or placebo dosing
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Eye-tracking measure of sexual objectification
Description
Male participants wear a portable eye tracker and discuss media preferences with a female confederate while dwell time on the female confederate's face and body is monitored (longer dwell times on the woman's body and shorter dwell times on the woman's face indicate more sexual objectification)
Time Frame
2 minutes post alcohol or placebo dosing
Title
Eye-tracking measure of self-objectification
Description
Female participants wear a portable eye tracker and interact with a male confederate in front of a mirror while dwell time on the participant's body is monitored (longer dwell times on the participant's body indicates more self-objectification)
Time Frame
2 minutes post alcohol or placebo dosing
Title
Object brief-implicit association task
Description
On a computer, male participants sort stimuli words representing the categories object (e.g., tool), human (e.g., person), women (e.g., female), and men (male). Participants must respond as quickly and accurately as possible to categorize the words on a computer screen to object, human, women, and men categories via a computer key press. Responding faster to object and woman words and slower to woman and human words indicates implicit objectification of women
Time Frame
25 minutes post alcohol or placebo dosing
Title
Self-object brief-implicit association task
Description
On a computer, female participants sort stimuli words representing the categories object (e.g., tool), human (e.g., person), me (e.g., self), and others (them). Participants must respond as quickly and accurately as possible to categorize the words on a computer screen to object, human, me, and others categories via a computer key press. Responding faster to object and me words and slower to human and me words indicates implicit self-objectification.
Time Frame
25 minutes post alcohol or placebo dosing
Title
Self-report state mindful attention awareness scale
Description
Male and female participants self-report how attentive they feel on a 0 to 6 point scale (averaged lower scores indicate more mindful attention awareness)
Time Frame
30 minutes post alcohol or placebo dosing
Title
Self-report other-objectification questionnaire
Description
Male participants self-report how frequently they objectified the female confederate on a 1 to 6 point scale (averaged higher scores indicate more other-objectification)
Time Frame
35 minutes post alcohol or placebo dosing
Title
Self-report self-objectification questionnaire
Description
Female participants self-report how important appearance related attributes (e.g., sex appeal) are important to their self-concept relative to non-appearance attributes (e.g., hobbies) on a 0 to 9 point scale. Appearance attributes and non-appearance attributes are separately summed and non-appearance attribute scores are subtracted from appearance attribute scores (higher scores indicate more self-objectification)
Time Frame
35 minutes post alcohol or placebo dosing
Title
Saliva collection
Description
Female participants provide saliva samples to assess cortisol associated with stress responses
Time Frame
5 minutes pre alcohol or placebo dosing, 5 minutes post alcohol dosing, and 20 minutes post alcohol or placebo dosing

10. Eligibility

Sex
All
Gender Based
Yes
Gender Eligibility Description
Participants who self-identify as men will participate in Study 1 and participants who self-identify as women will participant in Study 2
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
21 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
30 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 21-30 years of age at least social drinkers single men attracted to women, women attracted to men Exclusion Criteria: current/past alcohol dependence (as assessed by a score of 8 or higher on the Alcohol Dependence Scale), alcohol-related treatment, or hospitalization due to alcohol use any past serious head injuries (as indicated by HELPS Brain Injury Screening Tool) serious psychological symptoms (defined as past psychotic, paranoid, or bipolar disorders, or current major depression) abstinence from alcohol use a condition or medication use in which alcohol consumption is medically contraindicated any legal restriction against drinking (e.g., as condition of probation or parole) presence of a positive breath alcohol concentration (BAC) upon arrival to the laboratory if the participant is less than six feet tall and weighs over 250 pounds or is over six feet tall and weighs over 300 pounds if a female participant is pregnant
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Sarah Gervais, PhD
Organizational Affiliation
University of Nebraska Lincoln
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
City
Lincoln
State/Province
Nebraska
ZIP/Postal Code
68588
Country
United States

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Plan to Share IPD
Yes
IPD Sharing Plan Description
De-identified individual participant data may be shared with other researchers (e.g., posted to the Open Science Framework) to aid with reproducibility and replicability of science.
IPD Sharing Time Frame
De-identified data may be made available to interested researchers when papers based on that data are published in scientific journals.
IPD Sharing Access Criteria
Interested researchers will be required to have an Open Science Framework account.

Learn more about this trial

Alcohol Myopia, Objectification, and Sexual Assault

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