Training young adults to intervene and prevent alcohol-related sexual assault
RCT of a combined MI intervention to address bystander behaviors in the context of alcohol use
This project compares standard bystander training, the same training plus brief alcohol-focused counseling, and a control group to see which helps young adults step in more to prevent sexual assault when drinking is involved.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Lincoln NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lincoln, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11113827 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you'll be randomly assigned to one of three groups: standard Motivate-the-Bystander training (MTB), MTB plus a short motivational interviewing session about alcohol (MTB+ALC), or an attention control. The team will watch how you respond during a virtual-reality house party scenario two months after the session to see real helping behaviors. You'll also complete short electronic daily diaries at baseline and again at 3, 6, and 9 months to report drinking and intervention opportunities. The researchers use these sessions and diaries to compare how alcohol-focused counseling changes both drinking and actual bystander actions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are young adults who drink and spend time in social settings where sexual risk can occur, such as college students or similar-age social groups.
Not a fit: People who are not in the young adult social drinking scene — for example much older adults, those who do not drink, or those never present at parties — are unlikely to benefit directly from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could help more peers safely intervene and reduce alcohol-related sexual assaults among young adults.
How similar studies have performed: Traditional bystander programs have improved knowledge and attitudes but rarely changed real-world helping, while motivational interviewing has reduced drinking in other settings, so combining them is a newer approach with some supporting evidence but not yet proven for increasing bystander actions.
Where this research is happening
Lincoln, United States
- University of Nebraska Lincoln — Lincoln, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dilillo, David — University of Nebraska Lincoln
- Study coordinator: Dilillo, David
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 below.