A System for Rapidly Yet Rigorously Evaluating the Quality of Randomized Controlled Trials.

ABSTRACT: This tutorial describes a system for rapidly yet rigorously assessing the quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The system has 7 criteria, represented by the acronym "BIS FOES." The BIS FOES system directs readers to assess RCTs based on the following 7 criteria: the RCT's use (or not) of effective (1) Blinding; the RCT's use (or not) of (2) Intent-to-Treat Analysis; the RCT's (3) Size and other information reflecting the effectiveness of randomization; the amount of sample lost during (4) Follow-up; the (5) Outcomes examined by the RCT (specifically, the outcome measures used by the RCT), the (6) Effects reported (ie, the statistical and clinical significance of the RCT's primary, secondary, and safety findings), and any (7) Special Considerations (ie, additional strengths, limitations, or notable features of the RCT). The first 6 criteria are of basic importance to the assessment of every RCT, whereas the Special Considerations criteria allows the system to be expanded to include virtually any other important aspect of the RCT. This tutorial explains the importance of these criteria and how to assess them. This tutorial also describes how many BIS FOES criteria can be initially assessed from the RCT Abstract while also directing readers to specific locations in the RCT article where additional important information can be found. We hope that the BIS FOES system will help healthcare trainees, but also potentially clinicians, researchers, and the general public, rapidly and thoroughly assess RCTs.

An Examination of Sexting, Sexual Violence, and Alcohol Use Among Men Arrested for Domestic Violence.

Technological advances provide greater opportunity for electronic communication to occur within romantic relationships. Sexting, defined as sending sexually explicit content via electronic mediums, is one such type of communication and its association with alcohol use and partner violence is supported by existing research. We extend this knowledge by examining the prevalence of past-year sexting within a clinical sample of men arrested for domestic violence (N = 312). The associations between sexting, alcohol use, and sexual violence perpetration in the past year were also examined. Findings indicated that sexting was a prevalent behavior among this population, with 60% of the sample having requested a sext from someone, 55% having been asked to send a sext, and 41% having sent a sext within the past year. Logistic regression analyses indicated that sexting was linked to past-year sexual violence perpetration, even after controlling for age and past-year alcohol use. This is the first study to provide evidence that sexting is prevalent among men arrested for domestic violence. Moreover, men who endorsed sexting within the past year were more likely to have perpetrated past-year sexual violence than men who did not engage in sexting. Understanding the relation between sexting and other problematic behaviors, such as alcohol use and sexual violence, will inform intervention efforts across various populations.

Risk of Revocation Among Batterers: A Preliminary Analysis of Criminogenic, Intimate Partner Violence, and Mental Health Risks.

This study examined whether criminogenic risk, domestic violence risk, and mental health diagnoses would predict probation revocation among batterers in a felony domestic violence court (FDVC). Review of probation files included baseline assessments and probation disposition for FDVC probationers from January 2014 to March 2018 (n = 64). Results of the binary logistic regression analysis showed that criminogenic risk was a significant predictor of FDVC probation revocation. Interventions to prevent unsuccessful completion of domestic violence courts may benefit from programming that addresses early engagement in treatment, antisocial thinking patterns, and treatment for substance use disorders.

Alcohol Use and Problems as a Potential Mediator of the Relationship between Emotion Dysregulation and IPV Perpetration.

OBJECTIVE: Alcohol use/problems and emotion dysregulation are associated with increased intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration. Additionally, alcohol use is an overt coping mechanism for dysregulated emotion. While past research has examined alcohol use/problems as a mediator between emotion dysregulation and IPV, research is limited within clinical samples. The current study sought to fill this gap by examining a theoretical model by which emotion dysregulation and alcohol use/problems influence IPV perpetration in a sample of men arrested for domestic violence. Consistent with prior research, it was hypothesized that alcohol use/problems would mediate the relationship between emotion dysregulation and psychological aggression. Additionally, we hypothesized that emotion dysregulation would positively associate with increased alcohol use/problems, which would relate to increased physical assault perpetration through psychological aggression perpetration. METHOD: Using a cross-sectional sample of 391 men arrested for domestic violence and court-referred to Batterer Intervention Programs (BIP), the present study used structural equation modeling to examine proposed pathways from emotion dysregulation to IPV perpetration directly and indirectly through alcohol use/problems. RESULTS: Alcohol use/problems explained the relation between emotion dysregulation and psychological aggression perpetration. In addition, emotion dysregulation related to psychological aggression which explained the relation between alcohol use/problems and physical assault perpetration. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underline the importance of assessing and addressing emotion dysregulation and alcohol use/problems as risk factors for IPV in existing BIP as well as within theoretical models.

Sexting and Substance Use among Women Arrested for Domestic Violence: A Brief Report.

BACKGROUND: Advances in technology provide opportunities for communication using electronic mediums. Sexting is one form of electronic communication and includes the sending of explicit sexual content (e.g., photos, text) through electronic mediums. Previous research demonstrated a positive association between sexting and behaviors such as substance use. Moreover, substance use increases the risk for intimate partner violence and is also associated with risky behaviors. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence of sexting in a sample of 84 women mandated to attend batterer intervention programs following arrest for domestic violence. The associations between sexting, substance use, and intimate partner violence were also examined. METHOD: Participants completed self-report questionnaires that assessed sexting, intimate partner violence, and alcohol and drug use symptoms. RESULTS: Fifty-four percent of participants reported being asked to send a sext, 35.1% reported sending a sext, and 32.0% reported requesting a sext. Drug use symptoms were positively associated with some forms of sexting and intimate partner violence. There was a significant difference in drug use symptoms, such that women who received a request to send a sext had significantly more symptoms relative to women who had not received a request to send a sext. CONCLUSION: This is the first examination of sexting in a sample of women arrested for domestic violence. Findings indicate an association between drug use symptoms, sexting, and intimate partner violence, warranting continued research in this domain.