Sexual compulsivity and substance use in HIV-seropositive men who have sex with men: prevalence and predictors of high-risk behaviors

Addict Behav. 1999 Nov-Dec;24(6):857-68. doi: 10.1016/s0306-4603(99)00056-8.

Abstract

Most persons aware of their HIV-positive serostatus refrain from sexual behavior that could transmit HIV infection to others. However, a minority of men who test HIV-seropositive continue to engage in transmission risk behavior. One factor that may play a role in high-risk sexual activity involves sexual behavior self-management. The present study investigated the role of sexual compulsivity as a contributing factor to high-risk sexual behavior in HIV seropositive men who have sex with men (N = 112). Participants also completed measures of factors known to be related to risky sexual behavior including: personal substance use, sexual partner substance use, pleasure associated with high-risk activities, beliefs about transmission risks, intentions to avoid future instances of risky behavior, and self-esteem. Men scoring high on sexual compulsivity reported engaging in more frequent unprotected sexual acts with more partners, reported greater use of cocaine in conjunction with sexual activity, rated high-risk sexual acts as more pleasurable, and reported lower self-esteem. Mediational analyses indicated that the relationship between sexual compulsivity and high-risk sexual behavior was partially mediated by both personal cocaine use and partner cocaine use in conjunction with sexual activity. The results suggest a need to integrate HIV risk-reduction services and substance use treatment for those persons living with HIV who have difficulty avoiding transmission risk behavior.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / complications
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / psychology*
  • Compulsive Behavior / psychology*
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • HIV Infections / transmission*
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Self Concept
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology*