2 - (SYM 62) Sexual Minority Stress and Alcohol-related Intimate Partner Violence Among Bisexual+ Couples: A Daily Diary Feasibility Study

Extant daily studies have largely neglected a population at elevated risk of alcohol use and intimate partner violence (IPV; psychological, physical, and sexual aggression): bisexual and multigender-attracted (bi+) young couples. Theoretically-informed daily experiences that may potentiate (e.g., bi+ minority stress) or mitigate (e.g., partner support) alcohol-related IPV remain unexamined, thereby hindering bi+ IPV intervention development. This pilot study examined the feasibility and acceptability of assessing daily minority stress (e.g., bi+ specific stressors), alcohol use, and IPV perpetration/victimization among bi+ couples (i.e., couples with ≥1 bi+ partner). We hypothesized that a dyadic daily diary approach would be feasible and acceptable with >70% daily survey compliance, no adverse events, adequate variability in daily variables, and high procedural acceptability.

Following a baseline survey, 15 couples (N = 30 individuals) completed 60 consecutive days of surveys on alcohol use, IPV, minority stress, and partner support followed by an exit survey; data collection is ongoing. Eligibility: both partners must be 18-30 years old, be in a relationship with each other for ≥1 month, have consumed alcohol in the past month, and must see each other ≥twice per week. At least 1 partner must identify as bi+ and ≥1 partner must report past-3-month heavy episodic drinking (i.e., 4+/5+ drinks per sitting).  

Results support the feasibility/acceptability of the dyadic daily diary approach among bi+ couples as evidenced by 81% compliance with daily surveys, no adverse events/participant withdrawal, and high acceptability (i.e., 90% of participants were “mostly” or “very” satisfied with study procedures). Daily data revealed a wide range of variability in daily variables. All participants consumed alcohol at least once during the study (M drinks on a drinking day = 3.60, SD = 3.12). Most (93%) daily surveys included at least 1 minority stressor, and 73.3% of participants reported ≥1 IPV incident during the study. Partner support varied across days and dyads. Across all days, average partner support was high (83.80; SD = 20.05), though low levels of partner support were reported on 8% of daily surveys and among 53% of participants.

Preliminary results suggest that the dyadic daily diary approach is a feasible and acceptable method for assessing alcohol use, IPV, minority stress, and partner support among heavy drinking bi+ couples. Results have implications for future development of couple-level just-in-time IPV interventions.