Response Inhibition Moderates the Association between Drug Use and Risky Sexual Behavior

Background

HIV infection is problematic among all drug users, not only injection drug users. Drug users are at risk for contracting HIV by engaging in risky sexual behaviors.

Objective

The present study sought to determine whether inhibitory processes moderate the relationship between problematic drug use and HIV-risk behaviors (unprotected sex and multiple sex partners).

Methods

One hundred ninety-six drug offenders enrolled in drug education programs were administered a battery of computer-based assessments. Measures included a cued go/no-go assessment of inhibitory processes, the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) assessment of problematic drug use, and self-report assessment of condom use and multiple sex partners.

Results

Findings revealed that response inhibition assessed by the proportion of false alarms on the cued go/no-go moderated the relationship between problematic drug use and an important measure of HIV risk (condom nonuse) among drug offenders. However, response inhibition did not moderate the relationship between problematic drug use and another measure of HIV risk: multiple sex partners.

Conclusions

Among this sample of drug offenders, we have found a relationship between problematic drug use and condom nonuse, which is exacerbated by poor control of inhibition. These findings have implications for the development of HIV intervention components among high-risk populations.

Below:  Plot of the interactions between cued go/no-go and DAST in the prediction of the likelihood of not using a condom. The cued go/no-go is plotted at the mean (medium response disinhibition), the mean plus 1 SD (high response disinhibition), and the mean minus 1 SD (low response disinhibition).

Full article at:  http://goo.gl/t7OYm5

By:  Liesl A. Nydegger, Susan L. Ames, Alan W. Stacy, and Jerry L. Grenard

Claremont Graduate University, School of Community & Global Health, Claremont, California, USA

Address correspondence to Liesl A. Nydegger, MPH, Claremont Graduate University, School of Community & Global Health, 675 W. Foothill, Blvd., Claremont, CA 91711 USA; Email: ude.ugc@reggedyn.lseil

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