Integrating Alcohol and Cannabis Risk Reduction Into Sexual Assault Resistance Programming: Findings From a Pilot of...

One in five college women experiences sexual assault. Feminist scholars have called for the use of programming that empowers women by increasing their ability to recognize and resist sexual assault. One such program, the Enhanced Assess, Acknowledge, Act Sexual Assault Resistance Education Program (EAAA), has demonstrated lower rates of sexual assault up to 24 months. EAAA could be further enhanced by directly targeting women's risky alcohol and cannabis use, two known risk factors for sexual assault, within an integrated framework. This study evaluated the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of an integrated version of EAAA with enhanced alcohol and new cannabis content.

College women (n = 14) ages 18-24 who reported engaging in past-month heavy alcohol use, cannabis use, and simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use participated in the adapted program. Women completed a baseline assessment, measures of acceptability at strategic points during the program, and a post-program assessment.

Women rated the program very high in likability, quality, organization, relevance, and usefulness and were likely to recommend it to other women. Overall, acceptability and usability ratings for EAAA+ were high. Content analysis of open-ended questions indicated that some women wanted more cannabis and/or alcohol content included.

Results indicate that the adapted content is acceptable for the target population and has promising pre-post changes on alcohol, cannabis, and sexual assault-related outcomes.