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Objective: Sexual victimization (SV) is common among men who have sex with men (MSM) as is dating and sexual networking (DSN) app use. We developed a novel laboratory paradigm ("G-Date") of sexual violence risk perception in DSN app environments and explored its validity and the role of substance misuse and SV history on sexual violence risk perception., Method: Using convenience sampling, we recruited 145 MSM to use G-Date to interact with two bogus speed dates whose responses were scripted to be risky or non-risky. Risky dates displayed several cues indicating risk for sexual violence perpetration. Dependent variables included pre/post changes in ratings of their dating partner's appeal; ratings of the presence of each of the embedded risk cues; and the duration of the speed dates., Results: Compared to non-risky dates, participants terminated risky dates significantly sooner, rated them higher in each of the risk cues, and their pre- to post-date ratings of partner appeal declined significantly more. Participants' drug misuse was associated with reduced interest in the non-risky date, but not the risky date and predicted shorter speed date length and lower partner appeal ratings across date type. Substance-facilitated SV history interacted with alcohol misuse and date type to predict sexual violence risk perception., Conclusions: Results provide evidence for the paradigm's validity and suggest that drug misuse and substance-facilitated SV history shape MSM's risk perception in DSN apps. Efforts to prevent SV among MSM should consider individual characteristics, including substance misuse, in risk perception.

Background: Sexual violence (SV) is a significant problem for sexual minorities, including men who have sex with men (MSM). The limited research suggests SV is associated with a host of syndemic conditions. These factors tend to cluster and interact to worsen one another. Unfortunately, while much work has been conducted to examine these factors in heterosexual women, there is a lack of research examining MSM, especially their SV risk perception. Further, MSM are active users of dating and sexual networking (DSN) mobile apps, and this technology has demonstrated usefulness for creating safe spaces for MSM to meet and engage partners. However, mounting data demonstrate that DSN app use is associated with an increased risk for SV, especially given the higher likelihood of using alcohol and other drugs before sex. By contrast, some researchers have demonstrated that DSN technology can be harnessed as a prevention tool for HIV; unfortunately, no such work has progressed regarding SV., Objective: This study aims to (1) use qualitative and quantitative methods to tailor an existing laboratory paradigm of SV risk perception in women for MSM using a DSN mobile app framework and (2) subject this novel paradigm to a rigorous validation study to confirm its usefulness in predicting SV, with the potential for use in future prevention endeavors., Methods: To tailor the paradigm for MSM, a team of computer scientists created an initial DSN app (G-Date) and incorporated ongoing feedback about the usability, feasibility, and realism of this tool from a representative sample of MSM. We used focus groups and interviews to assist in the development of G-Date, including by identifying relevant stimuli, developing the cover story, and establishing the appropriate study language. To confirm the paradigm's usefulness, we are conducting an experimental study with web-based and face-to-face participants to determine the content, concurrent, and predictive validities of G-Date. We will evaluate whether certain correlates of SV informed by syndemics and minority stress theories (eg, history of SV and alcohol and drug use) affect the ability of MSM to detect SV risk within G-Date and how paradigm engagement influences behavior in actual DSN app use contexts., Results: This study received funding from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism on September 10, 2020, and ethics approval on October 19, 2020, and we began app development for aim 1 immediately thereafter. We began data collection for the aim 2 validation study in December 2022. Initial results from the validation study are expected to be available after December 2025., Conclusions: We hope that G-Date will enhance our understanding of factors associated with SV risk and serve as a useful step in creating prevention programs for this susceptible population., (©D J Angelone, Damon Mitchell, Brooke Wells, Megan Korovich, Alexandra Nicoletti, Dustin Fife. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (https://www.researchprotocols.org), 19.08.2024.)