A Behavior Sequence Analysis of Perceptions of Alcohol-Related Violence Surrounding Drinking Establishments

Alcohol-related violence surrounding the nighttime economy puts increased pressure and workload on security and police forces. Research surrounding alcohol-related violence consistently identifies risk factors, such as the organizational practices and physical characteristics of drinking establishments, as influential in the generation of violent behavior. The current research uses sequence analysis to investigate dynamic patterns of events perceived to lead to a violent incident. The research was collected using questionnaires across university students with customer experience of the modern nighttime economy. The findings show perceptions of maladaptive patterns of events that may lead to violent incidents in different environments (a brightly lit bar and a nightclub). Analysis demonstrated that participants thought those involved in a violent incident would have consumed large amounts of alcohol throughout the night, fueled by predrinking and irresponsible serving practices of staff. Frustration inducing events were also common stages in the sequences leading to a violent outcome. Finally, staff intervention in violent situations was also considered to be an important predictor of violence, with forceful removal of individuals from premises often considered to be the final event preceding a violent incident. The present sequences analysis supports the suggestion that the organizational practices and physical characteristics of a drinking establishment influence the risk of violent activity and helps identify where initiatives aiming to reduce levels of violence could be effectively targeted.

Correlates of verbal and physical aggression among patrons of licensed venues in Australia

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

The current study aimed to examine the association between patron demographics and substance use, and experiences of verbal and physical aggressive incidents within the last 3 months among patrons of night-time entertainment precincts (NEP) in Australia.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Patron interviews (n = 4216) were conducted around licensed venues in the NEPs of five Australian cities. Seven correlates of verbal and physical aggressive incidents were examined: gender, age, occupation, blood alcohol concentration, pre-drinking, energy drink use and illicit drug use in the current session.

RESULTS

A total of 7.5% and 8.2% of respondents reported involvement in a verbally and physically aggressive incident in the past 3 months, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression models indicated men and people <25 years old were significantly more likely to report both verbal and physical aggressive incidents. A significant occupation effect showed lower levels of both verbal and physical aggression in managers/professionals compared with non-office workers. The likelihood of being involved in a verbally aggressive incident significantly increased with energy drink consumption, while the likelihood of being involved in a physically aggressive incident significantly increased with blood alcohol concentration, energy drink consumption and illicit drug use.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the different correlates of verbal and physical aggression within NEPs, suggesting they should be viewed as distinct types of violence, rather than points on a continuum. Major modifiable correlates with verbal and physical aggression included intoxication, energy drink consumption, and illicit drug use, suggesting the need for further interventions and policy development to address these key issues. [Hyder S, Coomber K, Pennay A, Droste N, Curtis A, Mayshak R, Lam T, Gilmore W, Chikritzhs T, Miller PG. Correlates of verbal and physical aggression among patrons of licensed venues in Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev 2018;37:6-13].

The use of alcohol mixed with energy drinks and experiences of sexual victimization among male and female college students

Much research has documented negative associations with the consumption of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED). To date, few research studies have examined the relation between AmED and sexual victimization. Furthermore, research on sexual victimization among men is less studied. The present study employed a sample of 253 men and 545 women to examine the differential associations between AmED consumption and sexual victimization as a function of gender. Results from this study suggest that AmED consumption is robustly associated with being sexually victimized among men, but not women. These results were robust while controlling for demographic factors and other substance use. Results add to the literature on sexual victimization by potentially identifying a new high-risk drinking behavior among males who have been sexually victimized.