A Randomized Clinical Trial Examining the Effect of Video‐Based Prevention of Alcohol and Marijuana Use Among Recent Sexual Assault Victims

Background This study examined whether a brief video intervention (Prevention of Post‐Rape Stress [PPRS]) delivered in the emergency department to recent sexual assault ( SA ) victims reduced alcohol and marijuana use at 3 points over the course of a 6‐month follow‐up compared to treatment as usual ( TAU ) and an active control condition (Pleasant Imagery and Relaxation Instruction [PIRI]). Prior assault history, minority status, and pre‐ SA substance use also were examined as moderators of intervention efficacy. Methods Women aged 15 and older ( N  =   154) who participated in a post‐ SA medical forensic examination were randomly assigned to watch the PPRS video ( n  = 54) or the PIRI video ( n  = 48) or receive TAU ( n  = 52) and completed at least 1 follow‐up assessment targeted at 1.5 (T1), 3 (T2), or 6 (T3) months following the examination. Results Regression analyses revealed that, relative to TAU , PPRS was associated with less frequent alcohol use at 6 months post‐ SA among women reporting pre‐ SA binge drinking and minority women. Relative to TAU , PPRS also was associated with fewer days of marijuana use at T1 among those who did not report pre‐ SA marijuana use and prior SA . Findings for pre‐ SA marijuana use were maintained at T3; however, findings for prior SA shifted such that PPRS was associated with fewer days of marijuana use at T3 for women with a prior SA . Conclusions PPRS may be effective at reducing substance use for some recent SA victims, including those with a prior SA history, a prior substance use history, and minority women.