Does Alcohol Consumption Influence People's Perceptions of Their Own and a Drinking Partner's Ability to Consent to Sexual Behavior in a Non-sexualized Drinking Context?

This study investigated how alcohol consumption influences individuals' perceptions of their own and their friends' ability to consent to sexual activity in a non-bar drinking context, specifically at daytime tailgates. Among 176 participants, most believed they (92.6%) and their friends (81.8%) could consent to sex despite an average breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) near the legal driving limit (.075) and reported intoxication symptoms; alcohol consumption and intoxication measures did not significantly predict these perceptions. However, gender composition of dyads was significant, with men in man–man pairs more likely than women in woman–woman pairs to perceive their friend as able to consent and to allow their friend to leave with someone to have sex. The findings suggest that confidence in consent ability persists across drinking contexts and intoxication levels, highlighting challenges for sexual assault prevention efforts that should emphasize alcohol's cognitive effects on consent communication, particularly targeting men and diverse drinking environments beyond bars.