Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Sexual coercion and violence are significant public health issues with devastating consequences for victims. Understanding the relationship between alcohol use and condom use resistance in sexually coercive/violent men is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies. This study aimed to explore the association between alcohol consumption and condom use resistance among men who have engaged in sexually coercive or violent behaviors. A sample of sexually coercive/violent men was recruited from community settings and assessed for their alcohol consumption patterns and condom use resistance behaviors. Results indicated a positive correlation between alcohol use and condom use resistance in this population. Men who reported higher levels of alcohol consumption were more likely to engage in condom use resistance tactics during sexual encounters. This association remained significant even after controlling for relevant demographic and psychological factors. Further analysis revealed that certain situational factors, such as the use of alcohol by both the perpetrator and victim during the sexual encounter, played a significant role in increasing the likelihood of condom use resistance. Additionally, men who reported a history of substance abuse or dependency were more likely to exhibit condom use resistance behaviors, suggesting a potential link between alcohol use disorders and sexual violence. These findings highlight the complex interplay between alcohol consumption, sexual coercion, and condom use resistance among men with a history of sexually coercive/violent behaviors. The results underscore the importance of addressing alcohol use in interventions aimed at reducing sexual violence and promoting safer sexual practices. Prevention programs targeting this population should consider the role of alcohol in facilitating coercive behaviors and develop strategies to mitigate its impact on condom use decisions. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the relationship between alcohol use and condom use resistance in sexually coercive/violent men. By identifying key risk factors and situational triggers, this research contributes to the development of targeted interventions to address the intersection of alcohol, sexual coercion, and condom use resistance. Efforts to prevent sexual violence must consider the influence of alcohol consumption and incorporate strategies to promote healthy and consensual sexual behaviors among at-risk populations.

Thesis Overview

Emerging scientific evidence demonstrates that men’s use of sexual coercion/violence (SCV) against women plays a critical role in risky sexual decision-making processes. Moreover, independent streams of research implicate alcohol intoxication in both violent and risky sexual behavior. Although the linkages among heterosexual women’s alcohol use, SCV victimization, and sexual risk have received modest research consideration, the interplay of heterosexual men’s alcohol intoxication, SCV perpetration, and risky sexual behavior has received little empirical attention. The overarching objectives of this research are 1) to augment our understanding of the alcohol-SCV-risky sexual behavior nexus through an empirical examination of the influence of men’s alcohol intoxication on their commission of risky and violent sexual behaviors and 2) to investigate the effects of alcohol intoxication and SCV history on men’s responses to a variety of women’s condom use requests. Drawing upon Alcohol Myopia Theory, Alcohol Expectancy Theory, and the Theories of Reasoned Action and Planned Behavior (TRA/TPB), two experiments investigate the influence of alcohol [Sober, Placebo (expect .04%), Moderate Dose (.04%), and High Dose (.08%)] and SCV-related factors on high risk men’s outcome and normative beliefs, attitudes, norms, perceived behavioral control, and intentions regarding condom use resistance, unprotected sex, and SCV perpetration in a hypothetical sexual situation with a female partner. Female partner condom request factors, such as risk rationale (Experiment 1) and condom request style (Experiment 2), are also manipulated between subjects. The role of background factors, such as SCV history, SCV-related attitudes, and alcohol expectancies, are also assessed. We hypothesize that acute alcohol intoxication, as well as SCV-related factors, will influence TRA/TPB-related constructs and that measurement of these constructs in an intoxicated state will best predict real-world intoxicated sexual risk behavior as examined through 6-week and 3-month follow-up behavioral surveys of experiment participants. Findings from the proposed research will refine TRA/TPB models of risky and violent sexual behavior in three important ways: (1) by examining the influence of alcohol and SCV-related factors on relevant social cognitive constructs, (2) by allowing a novel examination of these TRA/TPB constructs in the context of in-the-moment intoxicated vs. sober states, and (3) by assessing the effects of condom request factors on men’s condom use resistance and risky/violent sexual intentions. Findings have implications for preventions programs and clinical interventions, particularly those regarding alcohol-influenced risky sexual behavior and sexual violence.