Emotional Reactions to High-Risk Sex among Sexual Minority Men: Exploring Potential Opportunities for Just-In-Time Intervention

Abstract

ABSTRACT Rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are high among sexual minority men (SMM). A large body of research has explored determinants of HIV/STI risk behavior, but few studies have explored emotional consequences of these events. Understanding the valence, timing, and strength of emotional reactions to sexual risk could inform use of specific behavior change techniques in interventions (such as anticipated regret) and identify new opportunities for intervention, including just-in-time interventions. We analyzed data from an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study of 100 HIV-negative/unknown-status SMM to understand patterns of positive affect, negative affect, shame, and stress in the 24 hours after sex. Mixed-effects models showed that the probability of negative affect was higher in the hours following condomless anal sex (CAS) with high-risk partners during which SMM reported being under the influence of alcohol or drugs (A/D involved CAS), versus all other types of sex events (OR = 0.92, SE = 0.03, p = .017). The probability of shame was also higher after A/D-involved CAS, versus other sex events (OR = 1.14, SE = 0.07, p = .035). Findings suggest that the hours following A/D-involved CAS events may be an opportune time to intervene to help SMM avoid similarly aversive experiences in the future.