Drugs, Sexual Impulsivity, HIV: Psychosocial and Cognitive Risk Factors of YMSM

Project Summary:
This study will contribute to effective HIV interventions for at-risk youth by developing a model to
understand how environmental risk factors, impulsivity, and coping strategies converge into drug abuse and sexual risk
taking.

Project Description:
Unprotected sexual intercourse between men constitutes 58% of all reported cases of AIDS and 80% of HIV cases. Rates of HIV infection among 15 to 24 year olds continue to increase with MSM behavior remaining the leading cause of HIV infection among adolescent males. Studies show that use of stimulants, particularly methamphetamine, may influence risky sexual practices and contribute to the most recent wave of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Social Action Theory (SAT) provides a promising model for examining the risk behavior of YMSM, because it includes individual as well as social and contextual determinants. SAT remains to be tested for use in the field of HIV and with YMSM, because this model was originally conceived as a general health promotion model for the adult population. The specific aims of this study are to: 1) To empirically validate the chain of relationships depicted in Social Action Theory to determine if the theory addresses the interaction of individual, contextual, and social correlates of sexual and drug risk taking behaviors as they relate to YMSM; and 2) To further validate SAT by testing and incorporating competing theoretical relationships depicted in other behavioral theory models to develop a comprehensive theory of the social, psychosocial and cognitive risk factors for drug use, sexual impulsivity, and HIV among YMSM to guide prevention intervention efforts.

Project Investigator(s):
Dorian Traube

Research Period: 09/15/08 - 08/31/10

Funding Source: National Institute of Drug Abuse

Total Award Amount: $ 337,258