Alcohol and Sexual Communication Among Couples in the Laboratory

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, DENVER · Mar 4, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how alcohol and the way couples communicate about sex can influence intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV). Researchers want to understand if drinking alcohol leads to an increase in sexual violence among couples, especially when one partner is using indirect ways of communicating about sexual topics. The study will involve 240 couples (half of whom identify as sexual minorities) from the Metro-Denver area. Participants will be asked to drink either alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages in a controlled setting, and their levels of alcohol will be tested to ensure safety before the study begins.

To participate, both partners need to be between 21 and 65 years old, be in a committed romantic relationship for at least a month, and have consumed alcohol regularly in the past year. Couples can be different-sex or same-sex, but both partners must identify as cisgender. Before the study, participants will be screened to ensure they are healthy enough to consume alcohol and are not currently seeking treatment for substance use issues. Throughout the trial, participants will complete surveys and assessments to help researchers gather information about their experiences and communication styles. This study aims to shed light on a critical public health issue and improve understanding of how alcohol affects relationships.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Provision of signed and dated informed consent form.
• • 2. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and lifestyle considerations.
• • 3. Both partners must identify as cisgender via self-report on the Baseline Questionnaire.
• • 4. Couples must either self-report that they are (1) different-sex couples in which both partners identify as cisgender and heterosexual, (2) same-sex couples in which both partners are cisgender men with a sexual minoritized identity (gay or bi/bi+), or (3) different-sex couples in which Partner A is a cisgender, heterosexual man and Partner B is a cisgender woman who identifies specifically as bi/bi+.
• • 5. Both partners must be between 21 and 65 years old, verified by a photo ID.
• • 6. In an intimate relationship lasting at least one month in which they engaged in sexual activity at least once in the past month with their partner via self-report on the Baseline Questionnaire.
• • 7. Both partners must report that they consumed a weight-based amount of alcohol that is equal to or greater than the dose to be administered in the lab at least three times during the past year via self-report on question #5 of the NIAAA Alcohol Consumption Measure.
• • Please contact clinical site for additional inclusion criteria.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Treatment for Alcohol or Drug Use: currently being treated for alcohol, or drug problems; currently interested in seeking treatment for drinking or drug use via self-report.
• 2. Any medical or psychiatric condition, as well as current use of a medication, that would contraindicate alcohol administration via self-report:
• • 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
• • Head Injury: any past serious head injuries
• • Acute Psychiatric Symptomatology: elevated psychological distress as indicated by a score greater than 65 on the Brief Symptom Inventory
• • 3. Self-report that a participant is trying to get pregnant, currently pregnant, or currently breastfeeding or a positive pregnancy test.
• • 4. Combined height and weight that is either less than 6 feet tall and over 230 lbs, or over 250 lbs and over 6 ft tall as measured during the lab visit.
• • Please contact clinical site for additional exclusion criteria.