Using Collaborative Model Building to Better Understand the Mechanisms of Alcohol-Involved Sexual Violence on College...

Area of Science:

• Systems Science
• Public Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Alcohol-involved sexual violence (AISV) is a significant issue on college campuses.
• The Collaborative Model Building Project to Understand Sexual Violence (CAMPUS) study aims to address AISV.
• An agent-based model (ABM) is being developed to support campus intervention decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a transferable protocol for using collaborative model building (CMB) to co-create a causal loop diagram (CLD) of AISV.
• To develop a CLD that can be translated into an ABM for intervention decision-making.
• To differentiate the approach through cocreation of a CLD for ABM translation.

Main Methods:

• Employed a 4-phase iterative process involving a core modeling team (CMT) and campus collaborators.
• Conducted 4 CMB sessions with 3 groups (practitioners, students, mixed) to develop preliminary CLDs.
• Reviewed and combined CLDs, ensuring variables and connections were suitable for ABM translation and intervention identification.

Main Results:

• Engaged 39 collaborators across 3 groups in Allegheny County, PA.
• Produced a finalized CLD with 26 loops and 28 variables detailing AISV mechanisms and intervention opportunities.
• Study analysis is ongoing; initial results from aim 1 are expected in late 2026.

Conclusions:

• The approach prioritized measurable and modifiable variables for ABM development.
• Emphasis was placed on intervention identification and prioritization, distinguishing it from other participatory approaches.
• The finalized CLD serves as a foundation for the ABM to guide campus interventions.