Alcohol Mixed With Energy Drinks and Sexually Related Causes of Conflict in the Barroom

Abstract

The popularity of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) among young adults has spurred studies that focus on its links to aggression and risk-taking behaviors, including risky sex and sexual victimization. However, no studies to date have looked at the relationship between AmED and causes of interpersonal conflict in bars at the event level. The present study evaluated whether AmED use at the time of the bar conflict was associated with greater odds that a bar conflict would be precipitated by sexually related causes. Online survey data, including a description of a recent bar conflict, were collected from a community sample of 175 young adult (97 female) AmED users age 18 to 30 in western New York state. Qualitative findings included the natural categorization of sexually related causes of conflict, consisting of unwanted sexual advances and jealousy, and the prominence of sexual competition in these conflicts. Proportion of AmED use (out of the total quantity of alcoholic drinks) predicted the odds that the bar conflict would have a sexually related cause, above and beyond control variables. How AmED use might be associated with sexual competition and conflict in the bar is discussed.

Sexual violence and nightlife: A systematic literature review

“…sexual violence within the home following a night out and perpetrated by someone who the victim had met that night in the NTE), or violence/conflicts that were reported as sexual in nature (see e.g. Ball et al, 2018). 2,270 articles were identified, providing 301 unique articles following removal of duplicates and editorials, letters and non-English language articles (Figure 1).…”

“…Across 16 studies, increased alcohol consumption, signs of intoxication and engagement in specific drinking patterns by either the victim or perpetrator was associated with nightliferelated sexual violence (Ball et al, 2018;Becker et al, 2015;Buddie and Parks, 2003;Connor et al, 2014;Egan and Cordon, 2009;Flowe et al, 2011;Fung et al, 2018;Graham et al, 2014;Hughes at el, 2008;Hutton, 2004;Kelley-Baker et al, 2008;Parks and Scheidt, 2000;Parks et al, 1998Parks et al, , 2008Santos et al, 2015;Watt et al, 2012). A history of violence as a victim or perpetrator, including sexual and other forms of violence both within and external to nightlife settings was associated with nightlife-related sexual violence in four studies, primarily conducted in the USA (Kelley-Baker et al, 2008;Miller et al, 2015;Parks and Zetas-Zanatta, 1999;Parks et al, 2008).…”

“…Seven studies found relationships between sexual behaviours (e.g. intentions to have sex on night out; levels of sexual activity in venues; number of previous partners) and nightlife-related sexual violence, with most studies suggesting an increase in sexual violence (Ball et al, 2018;Fung et al, 2018;Graham et al, 2006a;Huber and Harold, 2006;Parks et al, 1998;Thompson and Cracco, 2008;Wall et al, 2012). One study found that men who were sexually aggressive in bar settings embody dominant cultures of masculinity (e.g., being assertive, dominant, willing to take risks, forceful) (Thompson and Cracco, 2008).…”

Interaction of Energy Drinks with Prescription Medication and Drugs of Abuse

“…If the patient in the emergency room has been involved in a traffic accident, has aggressive behaviour or sexual alterations, the concomitant use of alcohol with EDs must be ruled out [12,99,100]. If the patient reports consumption of medicines, other drugs or has a positive urine screen test, the pertinent algorithm for each type of intoxication must be followed [101].…”