Associations between Acute Alcohol Intoxication, Political Orientation and Rape Myth Acceptance in Male Pub Drinkers
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study is the first to examine the direct influence of acute alcohol intoxication on rape myth acceptance (RMA) in a real-world drinking scenario. The combined effects of participant sex, sexuality, political orientation and education were also assessed. Participants were recruited from a pub in southern England. Results indicated that breath alcohol concentration and a right-leaning political orientation were each independently associated with higher RMA scores, with the strongest effects observed among heterosexual male participants. While 67% of the sample ( n = 142) did not endorse any rape myths, within that group, both alcohol intoxication and a right-leaning political orientation were associated with weakened levels of rape myth rejection. Findings are therefore consistent with a continuous-threshold model of RMA, whereby alcohol intoxication and political orientation may be associated with individuals′ position along a rejection-ambivalence-acceptance continuum. In the full sample, these factors corresponded with attenuated rejection among non-endorsers and stronger endorsement among those accepting at least one myth. This suggests that the same underlying influences both weaken rape myth resistance and – once a threshold is crossed – amplify RMA. However, placebo-controlled experimental and longitudinal studies are needed to establish causality between predictor and outcome variables and clarify links between attitudinal shifts and harmful sexual behaviour.
Institutions: Kingston University London, University of Portsmouth
Language: English
Subfield: Gender Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,900
OpenAlex ID: W7225610369