Using social media to promote bystander intervention in alcohol-related situations
Official title: Digital Media Messages Targeting Alcohol-involved Bystander Intervention: A Pilot Study
Funded at Georgia State University · NIH-10852006 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating fun and engaging social media messages to help college students feel more confident about stepping in when they see someone in a risky situation involving alcohol, all to reduce sexual violence on campuses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $185,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AA030385-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10852006 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are college students aged 18-24 who consume alcohol and are active on social media.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or are not involved in college environments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing the dual issues of sexual violence and alcohol use on college campuses by developing digital media messages aimed at encouraging bystander intervention in alcohol-involved situations. The study will create engaging content tailored for social media platforms, targeting college students who may witness risky behaviors related to alcohol consumption. By leveraging the high usage of social media among this demographic, the research aims to enhance awareness and skills necessary for effective intervention in potentially harmful situations. The project will assess the feasibility and impact of these messages on students' willingness to intervene when alcohol is involved.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could empower college students to intervene in situations of potential sexual violence, thereby reducing incidents of assault.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using social media to influence health behaviors, making this approach promising yet still innovative in the context of alcohol-related bystander intervention.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia State University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schipani-Mclaughlin, Anne Marie — Georgia State University
- Study coordinator: Schipani-Mclaughlin, Anne Marie
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.