Peer influence on alcohol-related sexual violence among Marine pairs
Official title: Examining Peer Influences in Alcohol and Sexual Violence Among Marines Using a Dyadic Multimethod Approach
Run by Georgia State University · NCT07256275 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tries to see if a Marine's alcohol use and his drinking buddy's alcohol use and encouragement affect intentions and actions related to alcohol-involved sexual violence among male U.S. Marines.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 21 Years and up |
| Sex | Men only |
| Enrollment | 320 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Georgia State University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Atlanta, Georgia) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 18, 2026 |
| Main results expected | July 1, 2030 |
| Study ends | August 31, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | September 15, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07256275 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Male U.S. Marines aged 21 or older who regularly drink together with a fellow Marine (at least two heavy episodic drinking episodes together in the past month) and who rate that peer as at least 'somewhat important.'
✕Probably not a fit
Women, non-military individuals, Marines under age 21, or Marines who do not engage in recent heavy drinking with a peer are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The project combines daily-life ecological momentary assessment (EMA) with a laboratory experiment to map how one's own drinking, a peer's drinking, and peer encouragement shape alcohol-involved sexual violence intentions and behavior. In vivo EMA will track event-level effects among 160 Marine dyads (320 participants) who drink together, while an in vitro experimental paradigm manipulates confederate intoxication status and codes peer verbal encouragement ('go cues'). The team will integrate EMA and experimental findings to identify modifiable individual and peer risk factors. Participants complete an orientation, multiple EMA reports over time, and a single lab interaction session at the research site.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, results could point to specific peer- and alcohol-related triggers that prevention programs in the Marine Corps can target to reduce alcohol-involved sexual violence.
How similar studies have gone: Prior civilian research using EMA and peer-influence experiments has linked alcohol and peer norms to sexual violence risk, but applying these methods to USMC dyads and the specific experimental 'go-cue' paradigm is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Men * Aged 21 or older * Currently serving in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) * Marine dyads must have engaged in heavy episodic drinking (≥5 drinks in less than two hours) together at least twice in the past month * Marine dyads must rate their peer at a minimum of "somewhat important" on the Important People Interview. Exclusion Criteria: * The only exclusion criteria is not meeting inclusion criteria.
Where it's running
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Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Amanda K Gilmore, PhD — Georgia State University
- Study coordinator: Amanda K Gilmore, PhD
- Email: agilmore12@gsu.edu
- Phone: (404) 413-2000
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.