Recruiting

Observational Study

Sponsor:

University of Nebraska Lincoln

Code:

NCT05873413

Conditions

Alcohol Drinking

Sexual Violence

Social Norms

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 25

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Interventions

Motivate-the-Bystander

Motivate-the-Bystander+Alcohol

Attention-only Control

Study Details

Brief summary:

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the impact of providing participants with

1. A recently developed protocol for motivating bystanders to intervene to help others who are in sexual risk situations (Motivate-the-Bystander) alone
2. Motivate-the-Bystander with an alcohol component focused on reducing drinking behaviors (Motivate-the-Bystander+Alcohol)
3. A control condition focused on reducing stress

The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Is Motivate-the-Bystander more effective than the attention control for increasing bystander behaviors?
  • Is Motivate-the-Bystander+Alcohol more effective than MTB alone for increasing bystander behaviors?
  • Is Motivate-the-Bystander+Alcohol more effective than Motivate-the-Bystander alone for decreasing alcohol use during bystander intervention opportunities?

Participants will:

  • Complete online measures (e.g., self-reported bystander behaviors, past bystander training, history of bystander intervention attempts, sexual experiences, drinking behaviors, and other substance use behaviors)
  • Complete either MTB, MTB+ALC, or the attention control condition online
  • Complete the virtual reality simulation in the lab
  • Complete electronic daily diary follow-up surveys about alcohol use and bystander intervention

Conditions

Alcohol Drinking

Sexual Violence

Social Norms

Study ID

NCT05873413

Start date

Mar 1, 2024

Status verified date

Apr, 2026

Completion date

May 31, 2026

Anticipated

Primary completion date

May 31, 2026

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 25

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Individuals ages 18-25
  • Heavy drinkers (as defined by using the AUDIT)
  • English fluency
  • Community members from Lancaster and surrounding counties in Nebraska
  • Signed and dated consent form
  • Stated willingness to comply with study procedures

Exclusion Criteria: This project does not have any pre-determined exclusion criteria beyond the need to meet inclusion criteria for the study.

Study Design

Enrollment

450 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Prevention

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

active comparator: Motivate-the-Bystander

A Zoom-based motivational interviewing prevention program that enhances knowledge, motivation, and skills for increased bystander behaviors.

experimental: Motivate-the-Bystander+Alcohol

A Zoom-based motivational interviewing prevention program that enhances knowledge, motivation, and skills for reduced alcohol use and increased bystander behaviors.

placebo comparator: Attention-only control

A Zoom-based stress reduction program in which progressive muscle relaxation and other techniques are introduced and practiced.

Interventions

Motivate-the-Bystander

A Zoom-based motivational interviewing prevention program that enhances knowledge, motivation, and skills for increased bystander behaviors.

Motivate-the-Bystander+Alcohol

A Zoom-based motivational interviewing prevention program that enhances knowledge, motivation, and skills for reduced alcohol use and increased bystander behaviors.

Attention-only Control

A Zoom-based stress reduction program in which progressive muscle relaxation and other techniques are introduced and practiced.

Primary outcome measure

  • Alcohol use [ Time Frame: months 0-9 ]
  • Daily self-reports of bystander behavior [ Time Frame: months 0-9 ]
  • Observational bystander behavior [ Time Frame: 1-week follow-up ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Carrie Murphy

4024723772carrie.murphy@unl.edu

Locations

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Recruiting

Lincoln, Nebraska, United States, 68588

More Information

Sponsor

University of Nebraska Lincoln

Last update posted

Apr 22, 2026

Last verified

Apr, 2026

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Nebraska Lincoln on 2026-04-22.