Risky Sex and Drinking Context in Young Women and Men

Abstract

Despite growing evidence associating alcohol abuse and risky sexual behavior in young people, there is little research linking situationally determined drinking with risky sexual beliefs and behaviors. In addition, little is known about gender differences in this regard. The current study of 233 youthful drinkers examined the factor structure of sixteen items representing a socio-cognitive model of drinking-related risky beliefs and behaviors regarding sexual activity (enhancement, risky sex, gender-role expectancy), and tested the relationship of these three factors to three situational drinking subscales (convivial, personal-intimate and negative coping). MANOVA analysis showed significant main effects for the three DCS subscales and gender, and drinking context gender interaction effects for risky sexual beliefs and behaviors. Theoretical and practical implications are examined.