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01-01-2016 | Original Paper

Alcohol Use Predicts Sexual Decision-Making: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Experimental Literature

Authors: Lori A. J. Scott-Sheldon, Kate B. Carey, Karlene Cunningham, Blair T. Johnson, Michael P. Carey, The MASH Research Team

Published in: AIDS and Behavior | Special Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Alcohol is associated with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections through increased sexual risk-taking behavior. Establishing a causal link between alcohol and sexual behavior has been challenging due to methodological limitations (e.g., reliance on cross-sectional designs). Experimental methods can be used to establish causality. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of alcohol consumption on unprotected sex intentions. We searched electronic bibliographic databases for records with relevant keywords; 26 manuscripts (k = 30 studies) met inclusion criteria. Results indicate that alcohol consumption is associated with greater intentions to engage in unprotected sex (d _+s = 0.24, 0.35). The effect of alcohol on unprotected sex intentions was greater when sexual arousal was heightened. Alcohol consumption is causally linked to theoretical antecedents of sexual risk behavior, consistent with the alcohol myopia model. Addressing alcohol consumption as a determinant of unprotected sex intentions may lead to more effective HIV interventions.

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Title: Alcohol Use Predicts Sexual Decision-Making: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Experimental Literature
Authors: Lori A. J. Scott-Sheldon
Kate B. Carey
Karlene Cunningham
Blair T. Johnson
Michael P. Carey
The MASH Research Team
Publication date: 01-01-2016
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: AIDS and Behavior / Issue Special Issue 1/2016
Print ISSN: 1090-7165
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3254
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-015-1108-9

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