Incapacitated sexual violence involving alcohol among college women: the impact of a brief drinking intervention

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of a motivational interviewing (MI) brief alcohol intervention and prior victimization on alcohol-involved sexual victimization experiences. First-year female college students (N = 229) were randomly assigned to an intervention condition: MI, MI with feedback (MIFB), feedback (FB), and assessment only (AO). Findings indicate reduced alcohol use for all conditions and violence for MIFB, with interactions for prior victimization. The mechanism of change for reduced victimization was not reductions in alcohol use and mechanisms for this effectiveness remain somewhat convoluted. Tailoring of brief interventions addressing alcohol use and sexual violence, particularly for women with prior victimization, is critical.