Peer InfluenceNCT07256275
Peer Influences in Alcohol and Sexual Violence Among Marines Dyads
A study testing Sexual Imposition Task in people with Peer Influence and Alcohol-Involved Sexual Violence Perpetration, run by Georgia State University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The goal of this experimental study is to examine the complex and multifaceted influence of peers on alcohol-involved sexual violence perpetration (ASVP) in U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) men. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 21 years and older, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Peer Influence, Alcohol-Involved Sexual Violence Perpetration
- What is being tested?
- Sexual Imposition Task
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 320 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 18 Mar 2026to 31 Aug 2030
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 21 years and older
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Men
- Aged 21 or older
- Currently serving in the United States Marine Corps (USMC)
- Marine dyads must have engaged in heavy episodic drinking (≥5 drinks in less than two hours) together at least twice in the past month
- Marine dyads must rate their peer at a minimum of "somewhat important" on the Important People Interview.
Who cannot join
- The only exclusion criteria is not meeting inclusion criteria.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia, 30303
Amanda K Gilmore, PhD, (404) 413-2000, agilmore12@gsu.edu
Amanda K Gilmore, PhD
About this study
Official title: Examining Peer Influences in Alcohol and Sexual Violence Among Marines Using a Dyadic Multimethod Approach
The goal of this experimental study is to examine the complex and multifaceted influence of peers on alcohol-involved sexual violence perpetration (ASVP) in U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) men. The specific aims are:
Aim 1: Use ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to examine event-level effects of one's own alcohol use, peer alcohol use, and injunctive norms on ASVP intentions among dyads of Marine men who drink together (n=160 dyads; 320 total participants).
Read more
Aim 2: Examine the individual and peer effects on ASVP behavior in an experimental paradigm with a gender x confederate (potential victim) intoxication status design. In-the-moment dyad-peer verbalized encouragement for ASVP ("go cues") will be assessed by qualitatively coding verbalizations during the interaction.
Aim 3: Examine modifiable risk factors on ASVP intentions in vivo (Aim 1; EMA) and ASVP behavior in vitro (Aim 2; experiment) settings.
Participants will complete: 1) an individual orientation session with informed consent, baseline assessment, and EMA demo; 2) 14 days of EMA completed individually; and 3) a dyadic session to complete an experimental paradigm via videoconferencing. All study procedures will be completed in off-duty time as to not interfere with military duties.
Read the detailed description
The overarching goal of this R01 is to obtain an event-level understanding of the role of alcohol and peer interpersonal behavior in sexual violence perpetration among Marine men. Rates of heavy episodic drinking and military sexual assault are high in the military, and highest among Marines. Alcohol is involved in 21-80% of sexual violence incidents among servicewomen and 14-56% of incidents among servicemen. Perceived peer norms and interpersonal interactions are key predictors of alcohol use and alcohol-involved sexual violence perpetration (ASVP) among civilians; however, it is unclear if these risk factors operate similarly in military populations. Peers in the US Marine Corps are unique and exert powerful influence on adaptive behaviors and attitudes and more negative health behaviors such as alcohol misuse. The proposed multi-method project, implemented by an experienced team of investigators, will simultaneously address several major and persistent gaps in knowledge. First, the investigators will obtain an event-level understanding of the effects of one's own and peer alcohol use, and the role of alcohol in ASVP norms on ASVP intentions in the US Marine Corps by integrating findings from in vivo and in vitro assessment methods. Second, this study will examine and assess the individual and peer effects of in-the-moment encouragement and discouragement on ASVP behaviors in an experimental paradigm. The investigators will accomplish this by leveraging innovative dyadic approaches employed among civilian dyads, thereby elucidating peer influences on ASVP among men in the US Marine Corps. The proposed study will recruit pairs of enlisted men currently serving in the US Marine Corps who engaged in heavy episodic drinking at least twice together in the past month. Dyads will complete ecological momentary assessments about their own and perceived peer alcohol use and ASVP intentions twice daily for 14 days. The study will also compare modifiable risk effects of peer influence acceptance of ASVP intentions and behaviors in vivo and in vitro settings.
- Being tested
- Sexual Imposition Task
- Keywords
- Alcohol-Involved Sexual Violence Perpetration, Ecological Momentary Assessment, Sexual Imposition Task, Peer Influence
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Sexual Imposition TaskOther
Dyads will complete the Sexual Imposition Task and will be randomly assigned to have the individual opportunity to perpetrate sexual violence against another Marine who is (1) a sober man, (2) a sober woman, (3) an intoxicated man, or (4) an intoxicated woman.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Confederate Group: Intoxicated Man | Other | Participants in this group are randomly assigned to complete the experiment with a confederate who is an intoxicated man. The sexual imposition task will be administered. Receives: Other: Sexual Imposition Task |
| Confederate Group: Sober Man | Other | Participants in this group are randomly assigned to complete the experiment with a confederate who is a sober man. The sexual imposition task will be administered. Receives: Other: Sexual Imposition Task |
| Confederate Group: Intoxicated Woman | Other | Participants in this group are randomly assigned to complete the experiment with a confederate who is an intoxicated woman. The sexual imposition task will be administered. Receives: Other: Sexual Imposition Task |
| Confederate Group: Sober Woman | Other | Participants in this group are randomly assigned to complete the experiment with a confederate who is a sober woman. The sexual imposition task will be administered. Receives: Other: Sexual Imposition Task |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Sexual Strategies Survey
Alcohol-involved sexual violence intentions will be assessed using a modified version of the Sexual Strategies Survey. Scores range from 0-168, higher scores indicate higher intentions.
Measured: For 14 days after enrollment
Sexual Experiences Survey-Long Form Perpetration - Noncontact Items
Alcohol-involved sexual violence intentions will be assessed using the noncontact items from the Sexual Experiences Survey-Long Form Perpetration (SES-LFP). Scores range from 0-49, higher scores indicate higher intentions.
Measured: For 14 days after enrollment
Sexual Imposition Task
Alcohol-involved sexual violence perpetration behavior will be assessed using the Sexual Imposition Task. Choice of film and duration of clip will both be assessed.
Measured: Experiment at 14 days after enrollment
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted1 Dec 2025
- Study start18 Mar 2026
- Primary completion1 Jul 2030 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Aug 2030 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Peer InfluenceStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 320 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Georgia State University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Medical University of South Carolina, University of Colorado Health, University of Washington
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Amanda Gilmore, Georgia State University
- Investigators
- Amanda K Gilmore, PhD, Principal investigator, Georgia State University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07256275
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- H25332
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 20 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 15 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: No sharing of individual participant data, only de-identified data.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Examining Peer Influences in Alcohol and Sexual Violence Among Marines Using a Dyadic Multimethod Approach
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07256275
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- H25332
- Keywords
- Alcohol-Involved Sexual Violence Perpetration, Ecological Momentary Assessment, Sexual Imposition Task, Peer Influence
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 320 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Georgia State UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Medical University of South Carolina, University of Colorado Health, University of Washington
- Study start
- 18 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jul 2030 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Aug 2030 (estimated)
- First posted
- 1 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this experimental study is to examine the complex and multifaceted influence of peers on alcohol-involved sexual violence perpetration (ASVP) in U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) men. The specific aims are:
Aim 1: Use ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to examine event-level effects of one's own alcohol use, peer alcohol use, and injunctive norms on ASVP intentions among dyads of Marine men who drink together (n=160 dyads; 320 total participants).
Aim 2: Examine the individual and peer effects on ASVP behavior in an experimental paradigm with a gender x confederate (potential victim) intoxication status design. In-the-moment dyad-peer verbalized encouragement for ASVP ("go cues") will be assessed by qualitatively coding verbalizations during the interaction.
Aim 3: Examine modifiable risk factors on ASVP intentions in vivo (Aim 1; EMA) and ASVP behavior in vitro (Aim 2; experiment) settings.
Participants will complete: 1) an individual orientation session with informed consent, baseline assessment, and EMA demo; 2) 14 days of EMA completed individually; and 3) a dyadic session to complete an experimental paradigm via videoconferencing. All study procedures will be completed in off-duty time as to not interfere with military duties.
Detailed description
The overarching goal of this R01 is to obtain an event-level understanding of the role of alcohol and peer interpersonal behavior in sexual violence perpetration among Marine men. Rates of heavy episodic drinking and military sexual assault are high in the military, and highest among Marines. Alcohol is involved in 21-80% of sexual violence incidents among servicewomen and 14-56% of incidents among servicemen. Perceived peer norms and interpersonal interactions are key predictors of alcohol use and alcohol-involved sexual violence perpetration (ASVP) among civilians; however, it is unclear if these risk factors operate similarly in military populations. Peers in the US Marine Corps are unique and exert powerful influence on adaptive behaviors and attitudes and more negative health behaviors such as alcohol misuse. The proposed multi-method project, implemented by an experienced team of investigators, will simultaneously address several major and persistent gaps in knowledge. First, the investigators will obtain an event-level understanding of the effects of one's own and peer alcohol use, and the role of alcohol in ASVP norms on ASVP intentions in the US Marine Corps by integrating findings from in vivo and in vitro assessment methods. Second, this study will examine and assess the individual and peer effects of in-the-moment encouragement and discouragement on ASVP behaviors in an experimental paradigm. The investigators will accomplish this by leveraging innovative dyadic approaches employed among civilian dyads, thereby elucidating peer influences on ASVP among men in the US Marine Corps. The proposed study will recruit pairs of enlisted men currently serving in the US Marine Corps who engaged in heavy episodic drinking at least twice together in the past month. Dyads will complete ecological momentary assessments about their own and perceived peer alcohol use and ASVP intentions twice daily for 14 days. The study will also compare modifiable risk effects of peer influence acceptance of ASVP intentions and behaviors in vivo and in vitro settings.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 4
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Confederate Group: Intoxicated Man | Other | Other: Sexual Imposition TaskParticipants in this group are randomly assigned to complete the experiment with a confederate who is an intoxicated man. The sexual imposition task will be administered. |
| Confederate Group: Sober Man | Other | Other: Sexual Imposition TaskParticipants in this group are randomly assigned to complete the experiment with a confederate who is a sober man. The sexual imposition task will be administered. |
| Confederate Group: Intoxicated Woman | Other | Other: Sexual Imposition TaskParticipants in this group are randomly assigned to complete the experiment with a confederate who is an intoxicated woman. The sexual imposition task will be administered. |
| Confederate Group: Sober Woman | Other | Other: Sexual Imposition TaskParticipants in this group are randomly assigned to complete the experiment with a confederate who is a sober woman. The sexual imposition task will be administered. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 21 years and older
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Men
- Aged 21 or older
- Currently serving in the United States Marine Corps (USMC)
- Marine dyads must have engaged in heavy episodic drinking (≥5 drinks in less than two hours) together at least twice in the past month
- Marine dyads must rate their peer at a minimum of "somewhat important" on the Important People Interview.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- The only exclusion criteria is not meeting inclusion criteria.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Sexual Imposition TaskDyads will complete the Sexual Imposition Task and will be randomly assigned to have the individual opportunity to perpetrate sexual violence against another Marine who is (1) a sober man, (2) a sober woman, (3) an intoxicated man, or (4) an intoxicated woman. | Other | Confederate Group: Intoxicated Man, Confederate Group: Intoxicated Woman, Confederate Group: Sober Man, Confederate Group: Sober Woman |
Primary outcome
Sexual Strategies Survey
Time frame: For 14 days after enrollment
Alcohol-involved sexual violence intentions will be assessed using a modified version of the Sexual Strategies Survey. Scores range from 0-168, higher scores indicate higher intentions.
Sexual Experiences Survey-Long Form Perpetration - Noncontact Items
Time frame: For 14 days after enrollment
Alcohol-involved sexual violence intentions will be assessed using the noncontact items from the Sexual Experiences Survey-Long Form Perpetration (SES-LFP). Scores range from 0-49, higher scores indicate higher intentions.
Sexual Imposition Task
Time frame: Experiment at 14 days after enrollment
Alcohol-involved sexual violence perpetration behavior will be assessed using the Sexual Imposition Task. Choice of film and duration of clip will both be assessed.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. No sharing of individual participant data, only de-identified data.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Amanda K Gilmore, PhD principal investigator
Georgia State University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Sexual Imposition Task in people with Peer Influence and Alcohol-Involved Sexual Violence Perpetration, run by Georgia State University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Amanda K Gilmore, PhD ((404) 413-2000, agilmore12@gsu.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Sexual Strategies Survey (time frame: For 14 days after enrollment). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Sep 2026.