SUPPORTING STATEMENT - PART A
Personalized Web-based Sexual Assault Prevention for Service Members – 0703-0080
Summary of Changes from Previously Approved Collection
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1. Need for the Information Collection
This submission corresponds to the grant number W81XWH-20-2-0039 funded by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) and aligns with the Secretary of Defense’s call for novel programs to prevent sexual assault within the military. Reducing sexual assault among service members is a significant national priority. There are few rigorous evaluations of assault prevention programs for service members. Given the practical challenges of delivering tailored sexual assault prevention to service members in- person, a computerized prevention program that focuses on multiple risk factors for sexual aggression and sexual victimization while engaging all service members as active bystanders to reduce risk for violence addresses a significant gap in prevention delivery. Studies documenting the risk factors for sexual assault provide a good baseline for where future studies need to focus. One predominant risk factor for sexual assault is alcohol use (Wilson, 2016; US DoD Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military, 2018). Binge drinking in the military has become increasingly problematic. Excessive alcohol consumption costs the U.S. military more than $1 billion per year and is implicated in almost 65% of all reports of sexual assault and sexual trauma (US DoD Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military, 2018). Notably, rates of heavy, hazardous and binge drinking within the U.S. Military are highest among service members ages 17-24 (Meadows et al., 2015). Additionally, rates of sexual assault among military service members are highest among men under the age of 25 and women under the age of 21 (Davis et al., 2017), and among the ranks of E1-E4 (Rock, 2013). Furthermore, the original sexual assault intervention (+Change) that we are adapting to the Navy population in this study was developed for college students. As a result, our target population for this study will be Sailors ages 18-24.
The aim of this study is to assist in the adaptation of an existing web-based sexual assault prevention program for college men and women, for use among the Navy population.
To achieve this aim, data will be collected in several ways (i.e., normative survey, focus groups, and interviews) and participants will participate in only one type of data collection. First, responses to a normative survey (N=500) will provide information about the behavior and attitudes of Sailors regarding alcohol use and sexual assault. The sample size of 500 is consistent with that from previous normative research studies on sexual assault. Specifically, the normative sample for the college population that created the initial prevention program required 250 individuals per risk group. In following with this standard of practice, we plan to recruit 250 women and 250 men for a total of 500 respondents. Next, focus groups (N = 60) and interviews (N = 27) will be conducted to obtain feedback about the content of the intervention and ways to adapt it for Sailors. Interviewees and focus group respondents will be selected based on their drinking habits, which will be determined by a brief pre-interview/focus group survey. It should be noted that while potential participants are placed in categories of high/low drinking by the automated survey system, all data are anonymous, meaning that there is no way for us to match any personally identifiable information of any participant to their survey responses. After interview/focus group completion, a post-interview/focus group survey will be given to obtain non-personally-identifiable demographic and alcohol use information to be used as descriptive information, as well as data from standardized measures that assess respondents’ opinions of the existing intervention. All surveys will be completed via a HIPAA- compliant software. Data from these surveys will be incorporated into the intervention content and help generate an adapted prototype of the sexual assault prevention program (+Change) for Sailors.
The results of these surveys will impact the Department of the Navy by documenting the feasibility, acceptability, satisfaction, and utility of a multi-pronged, individually tailored, and easily distributed prevention program that addresses the large problem of sexual assault, and the associated effects of alcohol for Sailors. In the long-term, this research benefits the readiness of the force by producing an easily disseminated high-quality sexual assault prevention program that can be implemented in multiple military settings and sustain evaluation in a larger clinical trial. This research can also have a secondary impact on reducing hazardous alcohol use among service members and can prevent the occurrence of alcohol use problems and associated negative health sequelae in service members. These long-term objectives are consistent with both DoD (including section 540D of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act) and the national public health priorities.
This study is a critical advancement in the prevention of sexual assault in military service members. Our approach is novel and innovative in that it will allow improved access and privacy via a computerized approach. Developing this program in a careful and strategic way will help to ensure that the program meets the needs of service members.
To adapt the +Change program for use among the Navy population, specific information is needed about the dating and alcohol use habits of our target population to provide personalized normative feedback. This is the purpose of the normative survey. The study team, which consists of experts in sexual assault victimization, perpetration, and prevention, as well as reduction of alcohol use, chose validated measures previously used in research with college students and Army Soldiers, and consulted with subject matter experts in the SAPRO Office to select the final assessment measures for this study. With minimization of participant burden in mind, normative survey questions were reduced as much as possible, while still allowing for the collection of the minimum amount of essential information to provide personalized normative feedback. As determined by this group of experts, without all of the standardized measures that are included in this survey, we will not have the ability to provide the most relevant data for developing a program to reduce both alcohol misuse and sexual assault risk among Navy service members.
Emergency approval was necessary to fulfill both mission requirements at the Naval Health Research Center and funding requirements by CDMRP. Although emergency approval allowed the research team to pursue these requirements, they were not expected to be fully completed within 6 months. The normative survey was completed within the emergency authorization period; however, the two rounds of iterative interviews and focus groups require longer than 6 months. All 3 phases were intended to be completed in a period longer than 6 months, in accordance with the grant Statement of Work.
2. Use of the Information
The research procedures to be applied in this study correspond with that of Dr. Lindsay Orchowski at Rhode Island Hospital/ Brown University. Dr. Orchowski has conducted these research procedures with active duty male Soldiers at Ft. Bragg, through the support of CDMRP funding (2015-present; PT140100). Dr. Orchowski’s prior (IRB- and HRPO- approved) research at Ft. Bragg has used many of the scales that will be used in these surveys. The scales used in the surveys are standard assessments of the study constructs, showing no adverse effects among participants. It is also important to note that surveying experiences of aggression or trauma shows no adverse effects among participants. In fact, studies assessing participant reactions to research suggest that participants appreciate the opportunity to disclose these experiences. Participants can skip any items they choose, and are informed they can stop at any time, and that the research is voluntary.
A large random sample (n = 50,000) of email addresses of Sailors has been obtained from the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) from which to recruit our samples of normative survey participants (n = 500), interview participants (n = 27), and focus group participants (n = 60).
Before and after each interview, participants will complete the pre- and post-interview surveys. Before and after each focus group, participants will complete the pre- and post- focus group surveys.
All 3 survey types are electronic, and obtain data via multiple- choice, and fill-in-the-blank questions. For each survey, respondents will click on the link that is emailed to them by the project staff and will be automatically directed to the HIPAA-compliant electronic survey platform (Qualtrics). The normative survey can be completed in approximately 30 minutes, while the pre- post-interview/focus group surveys can be completed in approximately 5 and 10 minutes respectively. Once Sailors click “submit” at the end of the online surveys, responses are stored (with no identifying information) on the platform. For the normative survey, reminder emails will be sent to encourage participation to achieve the desired sample size. Reminder emails will be sent approximately 10 days after the initial recruitment email. Only project staff have access to the encrypted and password-protected non-identifiable survey responses.
The results of these surveys will be incorporated into the existing web-based sexual assault prevention program to increase its applicability to the Navy population, and a prototype of this new Navy-centric sexual assault prevention program is anticipated to be complete by January 2025.
3. Use of Information Technology
100% of survey responses are collected electronically, as the surveys are web-based only. Interviews and focus groups are conducted in person.
4. Non-duplication
The information obtained through this collection is unique and is not already available for use or adaptation from another cleared source.
5. Burden on Small Businesses
This information collection does not impose a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses or entities.
6. Less Frequent Collection
Data are collected only once per service member, and during off-duty hours.
7. Paperwork Reduction Act Guidelines
This collection of information does not require collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with the guidelines delineated in 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2).
8. Consultation and Public Comments
Part A: PUBLIC NOTICE
A 60-Day Federal Register Notice (FRN) for the collection published on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. The 60-Day FRN citation is 87 FR 23504.
No comments were received during the 60-Day Comment Period.
A 30-Day Federal Register Notice for the collection published on Tuesday, August 23, 2022. The 30-Day FRN citation is 87 FR 51654.
Part B: CONSULTATION
The project involving the attached surveys corresponds to the grant W81XWH-20-2-0039 funded by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) and aligns with the Secretary of Defense’s call for novel programs to prevent sexual assault within the military. We consulted with Drs. Beverly Fortson and Andra Tharp of the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO) to ensure that the survey items were consistent with the standards in the field and within the DoD, as well as appropriate to meet the project aims aligned with sponsor priorities.
9. Gifts or Payment
Sailors will receive a $30 gift card for their normative survey completion, and a $40 gift card for their participation in either a focus group or interview. However, the surveys will cost $0 to the Navy, considering they will be completed during off-duty hours.
10. Confidentiality
The PAS is located on all collection instruments, and must be read prior to the web-based surveys.
A System of Record Notice (SORN) is not required for this collection because records are not retrievable by PII.
A Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) is not required for this collection because PII is not being collected electronically.
Project data will be kept for six years following project completion and then destroyed.
11. Sensitive Questions
The normative and post-interview/focus group surveys are completely anonymous and participants are instructed that they do not have to answer any question they do not wish to answer. All three survey types ask demographic questions, including questions about race/ethnicity. To ensure we are adequately tailoring the sexual assault prevention program to meet the specific needs of the Navy population, and with sensitivity to diversity, this information is essential to capture. The normative survey has two measures related to mental health symptoms commonly used within the DoD. These questions provide information to understand related factors that are pertinent to intervention content. Finally, the normative survey collects information on sexual behaviors and attitudes. Providing this information is critical to informing the sexual assault prevention program. Without this information, the project would not be feasible.
12. Respondent Burden and its Labor Costs
Part A: ESTIMATION OF RESPONDENT BURDEN
Collection Instrument(s)
Sexual Assault Prevention in Service Members Normative Survey
Number of Respondents: 500
Number of Responses Per Respondent: 1
Number of Total Annual Responses: 500
Response Time: 30 minutes
Respondent Burden Hours: 250 hours
Interviews
Number of Respondents: 27
Number of Responses Per Respondent: 1
Number of Total Annual Responses: 27
Response Time: 90 minutes
Respondent Burden Hours: 40.5 hours
Focus Groups
Number of Respondents: 60
Number of Responses Per Respondent: 1
Number of Total Annual Responses: 60
Response Time: 90 minutes
Respondent Burden Hours: 90 hours
Pre-Interview/Focus Group Survey
Number of Respondents: 87
Number of Responses Per Respondent: 1
Number of Total Annual Responses: 87
Response Time: 5 minutes
Respondent Burden Hours: 7.25 hours
Post-Interview/Focus Group Survey
Number of Respondents: 87
Number of Responses Per Respondent: 1
Number of Total Annual Responses: 87
Response Time: 10 minutes
Respondent Burden Hours: 14.5 hours
Total Submission Burden
Total Number of Respondents: 587
Total Number of Annual Responses: 761
Total Respondent Burden Hours: 402.25 hours
Part B: LABOR COST OF RESPONDENT BURDEN
Collection Instrument(s)
Sexual Assault Prevention in Service Members Normative Survey
Number of Total Annual Responses: 500
Response Time: 30 minutes
Respondent Hourly Wage: $14.42
Labor Burden per Response: $7.21
Total Labor Burden: $3,605.00
Interviews
Number of Total Annual Responses: 27
Response Time: 90 minutes
Respondent Hourly Wage: $14.42
Labor Burden per Response: $21.63
Total Labor Burden: $584.01
Focus Groups
Number of Total Annual Responses: 60
Response Time: 90 minutes
Respondent Hourly Wage: $14.42
Labor Burden per Response: $21.63
Total Labor Burden: $1,297.80
Pre-Interview/Focus Group Survey
Number of Total Annual Responses: 87
Response Time: 5 minutes
Respondent Hourly Wage: $14.42
Labor Burden per Response: $1.20
Total Labor Burden: $104.55
Post-Interview/Focus Group Survey
Number of Total Annual Responses: 87
Response Time: 10 minutes
Respondent Hourly Wage: $14.42
Labor Burden per Response: $2.40
Total Labor Burden: $209.09
Overall Labor Burden
Total Number of Annual Responses: 761
Total Labor Burden: $5,800.45
The Respondent hourly wage was determined by using an average of minimum and maximum earnings for enlisted service members (E1-E4) from the following data source: https://www.dfas.mil/MilitaryMembers/payentitlements/Pay-Tables/Basic-Pay/EM/
13. Respondent Costs Other Than Burden Hour Costs
There are no annualized costs to respondents other than the labor burden costs addressed in Section 12 of this document to complete this collection.
14. Cost to the Federal Government
Part A: LABOR COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Collection Instrument(s)
Sexual Assault Prevention in Service Members Survey
Number of Total Annual Responses: 500
Processing Time per Response: 0 hours
Hourly Wage of Worker(s) Processing Responses: $0
Cost to Process Each Response: $0
Total Cost to Process Responses: $0
Interview
Number of Total Annual Responses: 27
Processing Time per Response: 4 hours
Hourly Wage of Worker(s) Processing Responses: $45.67
Cost to Process Each Response: $182.68
Total Cost to Process Responses: $4,932.36
Focus Group
Number of Total Annual Responses: 60 participants
Processing Time per Response: 7 hours per focus group
Hourly Wage of Worker(s) Processing Responses: $ 45.67
Cost to Process Each Response: $319.69 per focus group
Total Cost to Process Responses: $2,877.21 for 9 focus groups of 6 or 7 participants each
Pre-Interview/Focus Group Survey
Number of Total Annual Responses: 87
Processing Time per Response: 0 hours
Hourly Wage of Worker(s) Processing Responses: $0
Cost to Process Each Response: $0
Total Cost to Process Responses: $0
Post-Interview/Focus Group Survey
Number of Total Annual Responses: 87
Processing Time per Response: 0 hours
Hourly Wage of Worker(s) Processing Responses: $0
Cost to Process Each Response: $0
Total Cost to Process Responses: $0
Overall Labor Burden to the Federal Government
Total Number of Annual Responses: 761
Total Labor Burden: $7,809.57
Part B: OPERATIONAL AND MAINTENANCE COSTS
Cost Categories
Equipment: $0
Printing: $0
Postage: $0
Software Purchases: $254.59
Licensing Costs: $0
Other: $0
Total Operational and Maintenance Cost: $254.59
Part C: TOTAL COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Total Labor Cost to the Federal Government: $7,809.57
Total Operational and Maintenance Costs: $254.59
Total Cost to the Federal Government: $8,064
Our total grant is $760,000, which covers all employee efforts, as well as the cost of participant incentives. The version of Qualtrics utilized by the research team is through our Co-PI/collaborators at Georgia State University. The contract for Qualtrics is obtained directly through Georgia State University, and funds from the awarded grant were not allocated for Qualtrics. No government funds have been spent to maintain access to the platform.
15. Reasons for Change in Burden
Overall respondent burden increased slightly due to estimated response time for Normative Survey being increased from 25 to 30 minutes.
16. Publication of Results
The results of these surveys will be incorporated into the existing web-based sexual assault prevention program to increase its applicability to the Navy population. We also anticipate that the data set will be utilized for secondary data analyses examining the intersection of substance use and sexual violence among service members. These findings may be shared with the research community through scientific peer-reviewed journal publications.
17. Non-Display of OMB Expiration Date
We are not seeking approval to omit the display of the expiration date of the OMB approval on the collection instruments.
18. Exceptions to “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Submissions”
We are not requesting any exemptions to the provisions stated in 5 CFR 1320.9.
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| Author | Kaitlin Chiarelli |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2022-08-30 |