Peers and alcohol use linked to sexual violence among Marines
Official title: Examining Peer Influences in Alcohol and Sexual Violence among Marines Using a Dyadic Multimethod Approach
Funded at Georgia State University · NIH-11419767 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study of how Marines’ own drinking and what their peers do or say influence the likelihood of alcohol-related sexual violence.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $694,868 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA031667-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419767 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adult Marines at risk for or indirectly affected by heavy drinking and peer-influenced behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without exposure to military settings or those not experiencing peer-influenced drinking patterns may see less direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project will look at real-time patterns of alcohol use and peer interactions among Marines to understand how these factors relate to sexually violent behaviors. Researchers will use a mix of in-the-moment assessments and dyadic methods to capture how peer norms and encouragement or discouragement affect decisions in the field. The goal is to map when and how alcohol and peer pressure contribute to harmful actions, with a focus on Marines. Findings could guide prevention efforts tailored to military culture and settings. The study is led by an experienced team at Georgia State University and will run over several years.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to targeted prevention strategies to reduce alcohol-related sexual violence in the Marine Corps.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows peer norms and alcohol use are linked to risky behavior in civilian settings; military contexts may present unique patterns that this study will clarify.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia State University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gilmore, Amanda Katherine — Georgia State University
- Study coordinator: Gilmore, Amanda Katherine
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.