Code of Respect (X-CoRe): Trial of a Multi-level Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Prevention Intervention for Active Duty Airmen

NCT06101056 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: HSC-SPH-23-0619
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 1,200
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of Code of Respect (X-CoRe) multi-level sexual assault (SA) and harassment (SH) prevention program in improving psychosocial determinants (e.g., knowledge, skills, self-efficacy, attitudes) related to respectful/disrespectful relationships, to examine the efficacy of X-CoRe in reducing SA and sexual harassment SH victimization and to examine the efficacy of X-CoRe increasing bystander behavior and improving unit cohesion and mission readiness by decreasing secondary risk and harmful behaviors (e.g., alcohol misuse, intimate partner violence, suicide ideation). The study will be conducted at at Joint Base McGuire Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) located in Burlington County, New Jersey, and participants will be cluster-randomized at the level of the squadron to one of two conditions: the X-CoRe program or a control condition.

Conditions

Sexual Assault; Sexual Harassment

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in SA victimization as assessed by the Sexual Experiences Survey

  This is a 10 item questionnaire and each is scored on a 4 point scale from 0-3 or more higher number indicating worse outcome

  baseline,6 months follow up, 12 months follow up

• Change in SH victimization as assessed by the (Sexual Experience Questionnaire (SEQ-DoD)

  This is a 23 item questionnaire and each is scored on a 5 point scale from 0, 1-2,3-5,6-9 or more, higher number indicating worse

  baseline, 6 months follow up, 12 months follow up

Secondary Outcomes (22)

• Change in knowledge of Sexual Harassment and Assault as assessed by the Knowledge of Sexual Harassment and Assault Scale

  baseline,6 months follow up, 12 months follow up

• Change in Rape Myth Acceptance as assessed by the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale -Short Form

  baseline,6 months follow up, 12 months follow up

• Change in Gender Role Beliefs as assessed by the Hypergender Ideology Scale -Short Form

  baseline,6 months follow up, 12 months follow up

• Change in attitudes towards Sexual Harassment as assessed by the Sexual Harassment Attitude Scale

  baseline,6 months follow up, 12 months follow up

• Change in Attitudes towards Relationship Violence as assessed by the Acceptance of Couple Violence Scale

  baseline,6 months follow up, 12 months follow up

Study Arms (2)

Code of Respect (X-CoRe) Multi-Level Sexual Assault (SA) and Harassment (SH) Prevention Program

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral: Junior Enlisted Component; Behavioral: Leadership Component; Behavioral: Social Marketing Campaign

Control Condition

OTHER

Behavioral: Leadership Component; Behavioral: Social Marketing Campaign

Interventions

Junior Enlisted Component BEHAVIORAL

Junior Enlisted Airmen (E4 and below) will complete 10 online modules designed to train them on recognizing SH and SA, healthy and unhealthy relationships, and situations that may increase risk for SH and SA. Participants will adopt and practice a lifestyle paradigm of select-detect-protect, in which service members select their personal rule to have only healthy (non-abusive) relationships with their peers and romantic partners, detect signs and situations that might threaten their rules, and protect their rules using communication, management, and avoidance skills. They will be instructed to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to SH and SA and will receive skills training related to communication and conflict resolution for healthy relationships, reduction of SH and SA perpetration, consent communication, reporting incidents of SH and SA, and bystander intervention. Participants who have experienced SH or SA are encouraged to use the "Get Help Now" feature to access support 24/7.

Code of Respect (X-CoRe) Multi-Level Sexual Assault (SA) and Harassment (SH) Prevention Program

Leadership Component BEHAVIORAL

Mid- and advanced-level leaders (E5 and above) will complete 10 online modules designed to train them to recognize forms of SH and SA, how to respond to an incident of SH or SA, and how to create a safe work environment free of SH and SA. Leaders will also adopt and practice the paradigm select-detect-protect. Leaders will select their personal rule to enforce a healthy work environment (free of SH and SA), detect signs and situations that might threaten their rule (e.g., displaying inappropriate pictures on the computer), and protect their rules using communication and management skills. Leaders will also be given background material on SH and SA in the military (e.g., extent of the problem, DoD definitions, and policies) and installation resources for reporting incidents. As with the Junior Enlisted component, Leaders who may have experienced SH or SA are encouraged to use our "Get Help Now" feature to access support 24/7.

Code of Respect (X-CoRe) Multi-Level Sexual Assault (SA) and Harassment (SH) Prevention Program; Control Condition

Social Marketing Campaign BEHAVIORAL

All participating Airmen (including Junior Enlisted Airmen and Leaders) will be exposed to X-CoRe's social marketing campaign, which includes posters, flyers, postcards, and digital content for social media. Messages are designed to increase awareness of consent and foster Wing-wide norms that are supportive of healthy relationships. Resources for Service members to receive support if they have experienced SH or SA will also be provided through the social marketing materials. Social marketing materials, such as posters, will be distributed at "hot spots" for SA (e.g., dorms).

Code of Respect (X-CoRe) Multi-Level Sexual Assault (SA) and Harassment (SH) Prevention Program; Control Condition

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Active Duty, stationed at JBMDL
• assigned to one of the 26 Air Force squadrons within the three Air Force Wings at JBMDL (87 Air Base Wing (ABW), 305 Air Mobility Wing (ABM), and 621 Contingency Response Wing (CRW))
• English speaking
• access to an electronic device with internet capabilities

You may not qualify if:

• being in service branches other than Air Force (e.g., Army or Navy)
• Airmen not ranked E1-E4 at JBMDL

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston: lead
• United States Department of Defense: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sexual Harassment

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sexual Behavior; Behavior; Social Behavior

Study Officials

• Belinda Hernandez, PhD, MPH

  The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Belinda Hernandez, PhD, MPH

CONTACT

(210) 276-9021; Belinda.Hernandez@uth.tmc.edu

Laura Thormaehlen

CONTACT

(713) 500-9655; Laura.C.Thormaehlen@uth.tmc.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: Participants will be cluster-randomized at the level of the squadron to one of two conditions.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 19, 2023
• First Posted: October 25, 2023
• Study Start: December 17, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 31, 2027
• Last Updated: January 28, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)