Effects of typical and binge drinking on sexual consent perceptions and communication

Marcantonio, T. L., Willis, M. and Jozkowski, K. N. (2022) Effects of typical and binge drinking on sexual consent perceptions and communication. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 48(3), pp. 273-284. (doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2021.1986445) (PMID:34615443)

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Abstract

Young adults frequently engage in sexual activity after consuming alcohol and, consequently, may try to communicate sexual consent while intoxicated. We aimed to assess how people’s drinking behaviors relate to their consent perceptions and communication with their current sexual partners. Using aggregated data from a 30-day daily diary study, young adults (n = 86, 77.9% women, 86% in a monogamous relationship) reported instances of partnered sexual activity and their perceptions of whether that activity was consensual. For each partnered sexual event, participants reported what they said or did to perceive the sexual activity as consensual. Responses were coded as active consent communication (i.e., using verbal or nonverbal cues) or tacit knowledge (i.e., using context to understand consent). During an exit survey, participants retrospectively reported how many days they drank (i.e., typical drinking) during the 30-day study and whether they binge drank. Typical and binge drinking were associated with identifying sexual experiences as consensual. Participants who binge drank relied less on active consent communication and more on context compared with those who did not binge drink. Young adults who binge drink may rely more on tacit knowledge because alcohol impedes their ability to process complex stimuli—such as active consent cues.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This study was funded, in part, by the Doug Kirby Adolescent Sexual Health Research Grant from the Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention, Indiana University of Public Health-Bloomington.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Willis, Dr Malachi
Authors: Marcantonio, T. L., Willis, M., and Jozkowski, K. N.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
Journal Name:Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy
Publisher:Taylor and Francis
ISSN:0092-623X
ISSN (Online):1521-0715
Published Online:07 October 2021
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 The Authors
First Published:First published in Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy 48(3): 273-284
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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