Past Sexual Behavior Research Articles

An Update and Reflections on Fear of and Discrimination Against Bisexuals, Homosexuals, and Individuals with AIDS

This study explored the relationship between biphobia, homophobia, AIDS phobia, an individual's sexual opinions and the orientation of an individual's past sexual behaviors and fantasies. Participants (N = 224) completed five self-report measures designed to specifically assess these psychological constructs. There were statistically significant correlations between the participants’ fear and discrimination of sexual minorities and individuals with AIDS. Additionally, the results suggest that more conservative views regarding sexuality are associated with higher levels of biphobia and homophobia. Finally, past sexual fantasies, which were more exclusively gay/lesbian in content, were associated with lower levels of erotophobia, biphobia and homophobia.

Age of Sexual Initiation, Psychiatric Symptoms, and Sexual Risk Behavior among Ecstasy and LSD Users in Porto Alegre, Brazil: A Preliminary Analysis

Ecstasy and LSD use is widespread in large Brazilian cities, but there is limited information on their use among young, middle-class, club goers in Brazil. We conducted standardized face-to-face interviews with 200 male and female ecstasy and/or LSD users, focusing on drug use and sexual history, current risk behaviors, and psychiatric symptomatology. Participants with early sexual debut (before 14) were more likely to report lifetime use of marijuana and powder and crack cocaine than those with later sexual initiation. Early sexual debut was associated with past year sexual risk behaviors, including having sex while high (Prevalence Ratio (PR)=1.3), having two or more sex partners (PR=1.3), as well as history of sexual abuse (PR=13.6). Depression and anxiety scores were similar by age of sexual initiation. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Behavioral/Lifestyle and Immunologic Factors Associated with HPV Infection among Women Older Than 45 Years

Cervical human papilloma virus (HPV) detection increases after menopause, but its determinants need clarification. In a case-control study nested within a 10,049 women cohort, we evaluated women 45 to 75 years old who acquired HPV infection and were HPV positive 5 to 6 years after enrollment (N = 252), and HPV-negative women as matched controls (N = 265). Detailed sexual behavior and cellular immune response were investigated. Odds ratios (OR) and attributable fractions were estimated. Women with 2+ lifetime partners had 1.7-fold (95% CI = 1.1-2.7) higher risk than monogamous women, with similar findings if their partners had other partners. Women with 2+ partners after last HPV-negative result had the highest risk (OR = 3.9; 95% CI = 1.2-12.4 compared with 0-1 partners). Weaker immune response to HPV-16 virus-like particles increased risk (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.1-2.7 comparing lowest to highest tertile). Among women with no sexual activity in the period before HPV appearance, reduced immune response to phytohemagglutinin was the only determinant (OR = 2.9; 95% CI = 0.94-8.8). Twenty-one percent of infections were explained by recent sexual behavior, 21% by past sexual behavior, and 12% by reduced immune response. New infections among older women may result from sexual activity of women and/or their partners or reappearance of past (latent) infections possibly related to weakened immune response. HPV infections among older women are associated with current and past sexual exposures and possibly with immune senescence. The risk of cancer from these infections is likely to be low but could not be fully evaluated in the context of this study.

The association of hormonal contraceptive use and HPV prevalence

Women diagnosed with cervical cancer report longer duration and more recent use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs). It is unclear whether COC use is associated with upstream events of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection prior to development of clinical disease. The objective of our study was to assess the association of contraceptive use on the risk for prevalent HPV infection in a cohort of long-term hormonal contraceptive (HC) users. One thousand and seventy (n = 1,070) HIV-negative women aged 20-37 from Thailand enrolled in a prospective study of the natural history of HPV. Baseline HPV genotype information, recency and duration of HC use, sexual behavior, other sexually transmitted infection (STI) information and cervical cytology and histology were assessed. At enrollment, 19.8% and 11.5% of women were infected with any HPV or any high-risk (HR)-HPV, respectively. After adjustment for age, current and past sexual risk behaviors, STI history and cytology, the use of COCs for >6 years was found to be associated with an increased risk of infection with any HPV [prevalence ratio (PR): 1.88 (1.21, 2.90)] and any HR-HPV [PR: 2.68 (1.47, 4.88)] as compared to never users. Recent, long-term COC use was associated with an increased risk for prevalent HPV infection independent of sexual behavior and cervical abnormalities. No similar association was observed for recent or long duration use of progestin-only contraceptives (i.e., depomedroxyprogesterone acetate). These data suggest that COC use may impact early upstream events in the natural history of HPV infection.

Correlates of Risky Sexual Behaviors in Recently Traditionally Circumcised Men from Initiation Lodges in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

This exploratory quantitative study examines past risky sexual behaviors among young men who were circumcised as part of a rite of passage to adulthood embedded within a cultural and traditional belief system in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Following permission from the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders (ECHOTL), individual face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire were conducted among 114 initiates. The mean age of the participants was 18.9 years, ranging from 15 to 32 years old. About 79.8% reported already having had sex with a woman prior to initiation. Of those, 89% reported that they ever used condoms when having sex, and 61% reported consistent use. Logistic regression analysis showed that consistent condom use increased with higher educational levels. Those involved in other risky health behaviors (specifically, smoking) were also more likely to report inconsistent condom use. Most participants had positive beliefs about male circumcision and STI/HIV transmission. This study provides a first look at the sexual behaviors of young men at the time of their initiation in adulthood, a process that is intended to make it socially acceptable to initiate sexual relations and highlights a major public health challenge in integrating the protective health benefits of circumcision with indigenous cultural practices.

Alcohol use and gender effects on HIV risk behaviors in cocaine-using methadone patients

Injection drug users engage in behaviors that increase the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other infectious diseases. Although methadone maintenance (MM) is highly effective in decreasing heroin use and the spread of HIV, polydrug use, especially the combined use of cocaine and alcohol, is common in MM patients. Alcohol use is independently associated with HIV risk behaviors, and the effects of alcohol use on risk behaviors may vary by gender. This study evaluated the effects of recent heavy alcohol use and gender with respect to HIV risk behaviors in 118 cocaine-abusing methadone patients. Both lifetime and past month injection and sexual risk behaviors were examined. Recent heavy drinkers (n = 46) were more likely to be male than nonheavy drinkers (n = 72). Recent heavy drinkers reported more risky sexual behaviors over their lifetimes than nonheavy drinkers. Gender effects were also present for lifetime risk behaviors, with females demonstrating more sexual and injection risk behaviors than men. In terms of recent injection risk behaviors, there was a significant alcohol use by gender effect. Heavy drinking females reported significantly more drug-sharing behaviors and less frequent needle cleaning than nonheavy drinking females. Recent sexual behaviors did not differ based on alcohol use status or gender. These findings may inform HIV prevention strategies in cocaine-abusing MM patients, and they suggest that cocaine-abusing women who drink heavily are a particularly high risk group who should be counseled about risky injection drug use practices.

Beyond Monogamy: Opportunities to Further Reduce Risk for HIV Infection Among Married Zimbabwean Women with only One Lifetime Partner

The main objective of this paper was to identify HIV risk factors at the individual, partner, and partnership levels among married, lifetime monogamous women in a nationally representative sample of Zimbabweans aged 15-29 years. Cross-sectional data were collected through individual survey interviews among 1,286 women who provided blood for HIV testing. The HIV prevalence among these women was high (21.8%). HIV risk increased with female age, within-couple age difference of more than 5 years, the husband having children with other women, and the respondent being 'extremely likely' to discuss monogamy in the next 3 months with her husband. The latter suggests that women were attempting to communicate their concerns while unaware that they were already HIV positive. HIV risk largely appears related to the partner's past and present sexual behavior, resulting in limited ability for married women to protect themselves from infection. Overall, lifetime monogamy offers insufficient protection for women.

Differentiating Between Precursor and Control Variables When Analyzing Reasoned Action Theories

This paper highlights the distinction between precursor and control variables in the context of reasoned action theory. Here the theory is combined with structural equation modeling to demonstrate how age and past sexual behavior should be situated in a reasoned action analysis. A two wave longitudinal survey sample of African-American adolescents is analyzed where the target behavior is having vaginal sex. Results differ when age and past behavior are used as control variables and when they are correctly used as precursors. Because control variables do not appear in any form of reasoned action theory, this approach to including background variables is not correct when analyzing data sets based on the theoretical axioms of the Theory of Reasoned Action, the Theory of Planned Behavior, or the Integrative Model.

Reasons for Seeking HIV-test: Evidence from a Private Hospital in Rural Andhra Pradesh, India

This study sought to describe the development of HIV counselling and testing services in a rural private hospital and to explore the factors associated with reasons for seeking HIV testing and sexual behaviours among adults seeking testing in the rural hospital. Data for this study were drawn from a voluntary counselling and testing clinic in a private hospital in rural Andhra Pradesh state in southern India. In total, 5,601 rural residents sought HIV counselling and testing and took part in a behavioural risk-assessment survey during October 2003-June 2005. The prevalence of HIV was 1.1%. Among the two reported reasons for test-seeking--based on past sexual behaviour and based on being sick at the time of testing--men, individuals reporting risk behaviours, such as those having multiple pre- and postmarital sexual partners, individuals whose recent partner was a sex worker, and those who reported using alcohol before sex, were more likely to seek testing based on their past sexual behaviour. Men also were more likely to seek testing because they were sick. The findings from this large sample in rural India suggest that providing HIV-prevention and care services as part of an ongoing system of healthcare-delivery may benefit rural residents who otherwise may not have access to these services. The implications of involving the private sector in HIV-related service-delivery and in conducting research in rural areas are discussed. It is argued that services that are gaining prominence in urban areas, such as addressing male heterosexual behaviours and assessing the role of alcohol-use, are equally relevant areas of intervention in rural India.

Past Academic, Drug‐Related and Sexual Behaviors Predict Risky Sex After High School

Past Academic, Drug‐Related and Sexual Behaviors Predict Risky Sex After High School

Evolutionary perspective on indirect victimization in adolescence: the role of attractiveness, dating and sexual behavior

We studied indirect victimization from an evolutionary perspective by examining links between this type of victimization and several indicators of attractiveness (past sexual behavior, dating frequency and physical appearance). Two thousand three hundred and nineteen (56% female) students (ages 13-18) from a region of southern Ontario, Canada, completed self-report measures of indirect victimization, physical appearance, dating frequency, recent sexual behavior (number of partners in previous month) and past sexual behavior (number of lifetime partners minus number of partners in previous month) as well as indexes of depression, aggression and attachment security, which were used to control for psychosocial maladjustment. Consistent with an evolutionary framework, physical appearance interacted significantly with gender, wherein attractive females were at greater risk for indirect victimization, whereas for males physical attractiveness was a protective factor, reducing risk of victimization. Physical appearance also interacted with grade, being inversely related to indirect victimization for younger adolescents and having a nonsignificant association with victimization for older youth. Finally, recent sexual behavior was associated with increased risk of indirect victimization for older adolescents only, which we discussed with regard to peer perceptions of promiscuity and short-term mating strategies. These findings have important implications for the development of interventions designed to reduce peer victimization, in that victims of indirect aggression may represent a rather broad, heterogeneous group, including attractive individuals with no obvious signs of maladjustment.

Reasons to Have Sex, Personal Goals, and Sexual Behavior During the Transition to College

Emerging adults (M = 18.99 years, SD = .50) completed cross-sectional questionnaires (N = 943) and targeted follow-up telephone surveys (N = 202) across the transition to college. Gender, personal goals (dating, friendship, academic), and past sexual behavior were examined as predictors of reasons to have and not to have sex. Men rated Self-focused reasons to have sex as more important; women rated Partner-focused reasons to have sex and Ethical reasons not to have sex as more important. Importance of Pregnancy/STD reasons not to have sex did not differ by gender. Before college entrance, sexual history and personal goals predicted endorsement of reasons for/against sex. Personal goals predicted first intercourse during freshman year. Limitations of the study include the single university sample and use of closed-ended self-report measures. Personal goals and reasons for/against sex are associated with sexual behavior and should be addressed in programs designed to promote sexual health among emerging adult college students.

Heterogeneity in patterns of sexual risk behaviors among african‐american youth: Associations with general and race‐specific factors

AbstractThis descriptive study employed a within‐groups analytic approach to examine patterns of sexual risk behavior and co‐occurring general and race/ethnicity‐specific risk and protective factors in a community sample of African‐American youth (n = 436). Cluster analysis was used to classify young adults by levels of self‐reported past year sexual risk behaviors. MANOVA, ANOVA, and chi‐square analyses indicated significant associations between cluster membership and (a) lifetime psychiatric diagnoses, (b) peer substance use behaviors, and (c) self‐reported past year alcohol and marijuana use. Cluster membership was not associated with several race/ethnicity‐specific variables: racial/ethnic orientation, cultural mistrust, and perceived discrimination. The results of the current study can inform the development of HIV/STI prevention strategies for vulnerable African‐American youth. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 35: 447–462, 2007.

Fear of and Discrimination Against Bisexuals, Homosexuals, and Individuals with AIDS

ABSTRACT This study explored the relationship between biphobia, homophobia, AIDS phobia, an individual's sexual opinions, and the orientation of an individual's past sexual behaviors and fantasies. Participants (N = 224) completed five self-report measures designed to specifically assess these psychological constructs. There were statistically significant correlations between the participants' fear and discrimination of sexual minorities and individuals with AIDS. Additionally, the results suggest that more conservative views regarding sexuality are associated with higher levels of biphobia and homophobia. Finally, past sexual fantasies, which were more exclusively gay/lesbian in content, were associated with lower levels of erotophobia, biphobia, and homophobia.

Relationship Between HIV Risk Perception and Condom Use: Evidence from a Population-Based Survey in Mozambique

The relationship between individuals' perception of their risk for acquiring HIV and their use of condoms is poorly understood. Understanding this relationship is crucial to the development of effective strategies to fight HIV and AIDS. Data from the Mozambique 2001 Adolescent and Young Adult Reproductive Health and Behavior Risk Survey are used to compare 15-24-year-olds' assessments of their HIV risk with assessments based on current and past sexual behavior. In bivariate and probit regression analyses, the relationship between correct risk assessment and the likelihood of condom use at last intercourse is examined. Twenty-seven percent of women and 80% of men who considered themselves to have no risk or a small risk of contracting HIV were actually at moderate or high risk. For both men and women, the prevalence of condom use at last sex was more than twice as high among those who assessed their risk correctly (30% and 16%, respectively) as among those who did not (14% and 6%). Multivariate analysis showed that correct assessment was positively associated with condom use; the association was driven by use among never-married individuals. Never-married males who assessed their risk correctly were 18% more likely than other males to report condom use; never-married females, 17% more likely than other females. Educational messages should aim at enabling individuals to correctly assess their own HIV risk and encouraging behavior change based on self-assessment of risk.

The association between childhood and adolescent sexual abuse and proxies for sexual risk behavior: A random sample of the general population of Sweden

Objective Several studies with small and “high risk” samples have demonstrated that a history of childhood or adolescent sexual abuse (CASA) is associated with sexual risk behaviors (SRBs). However, few studies with large random samples from the general population have specifically examined the relationship between CASA and SRBs with a comprehensive set of measures. Design The study was a cross-sectional retrospective survey of past and current sexual health and behavior. Methods A random sample of 4781 persons from the Swedish Post Address Register was obtained, which included 6,119,000 Swedish citizens in 1996. Of those persons, 2810 participants agreed to participate in the study. Participants were interviewed as well as administered a questionnaire regarding their sexual health and behavior. Results Using Mann-Whitney U tests, a history of CASA was found to be associated with younger age at first intercourse; younger age at diagnosis of first sexually transmitted infection (STI); greater frequency of unintended pregnancy; greater likelihood of participation in group sex; higher likelihood of not interrupting sexual intercourse despite the risk of pregnancy or risk of an STI; greater likelihood of exchanging sex for money or other necessities/drugs; more frequent substance use in the last 48 hours; and higher likelihood of adult sexual and physical assault. Conclusions The findings of this study confirm previous research, which has reported an association between CASA and SRBs in smaller and high-risk samples. Clinicians working with adults with a history of CASA should be aware of the relationship between CASA and SRBs and be prepared to address such issues during therapy.

Anger as a Moderator of Safer Sex Motivation Among Low-Income Urban Women

Theoretical models suggest that both HIV knowledge and HIV risk perception inform rational decision making and, thus, predict safer sex motivation and behavior. However, the amount of variance explained by knowledge and risk perception is typically small. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated whether the predictive power of HIV knowledge and HIV risk perception on safer sex motivation is affected by trait anger. We hypothesized that anger may disrupt rational decision making, distorting the effects of both HIV knowledge and risk perception on safer sex intentions. Data from 232 low-income, urban women at risk for HIV infection were used to test a path model with past sexual risk behavior, HIV knowledge, and HIV risk perception as predictors of safer sex intentions. Moderator effects of anger on safer sex intentions were tested by simultaneous group comparisons between high-anger and low-anger women (median split). The theoretically expected "rational pattern" was found among low-anger women only, including (a) a positive effect of knowledge on safer sex intentions, and (b) buffer (inhibitor) effects of HIV knowledge and HIV risk perception on the negative path leading from past risk behavior to safer sex intentions. Among high-anger women, an "irrational pattern" emerged, with no effects of HIV knowledge and negative effects of both past risk behavior and HIV risk perception on safer sex intentions. In sum, the results suggest that rational knowledge- and risk-based decisions regarding safer sex may be limited to low-anger women.

Viewing time measures and sexual interest: another piece of the puzzle

The present study compared a viewing time (VT) measure with the Sexual Deviance Card Sort (Laws et al., 2000) and past sexual behaviour. Twenty-six adult males who committed a contact sexual offence (19 of whom had child victims and seven with adult victims) each completed the self-report card sort and viewed 640 slides of nude and clothed males and females, ages 5, 9, 13 years and adult. The offenders were unaware that their viewing time was being recorded. VT allowed for greater consistent classification of sexual interest: for gender preference, 79% for individuals with child victims, 86% for individuals with adult victims; for age preference, 84% for individuals with child victims, and 57% for individuals with adult victims. Results demonstrated that a combination of nude and clothed computer-modified imagery can provide accurate sexual interest classification.

Mania in a Boy Treated With Modafinil for Narcolepsy

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Letter to the EditorFull AccessMania in a Boy Treated With Modafinil for NarcolepsyFLORENCE VORSPAN, M.D., DOMINIQUE WAROT, M.D., Ph.D., ANGÈLE CONSOLI, M.D., DAVID COHEN, M.D., Ph.D., and PHILIPPE MAZET, M.D., FLORENCE VORSPANSearch for more papers by this author, M.D., DOMINIQUE WAROTSearch for more papers by this author, M.D., Ph.D., ANGÈLE CONSOLISearch for more papers by this author, M.D., DAVID COHENSearch for more papers by this author, M.D., Ph.D., and PHILIPPE MAZETSearch for more papers by this author, M.D., Paris, FrancePublished Online:1 Apr 2005https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.162.4.813-aAboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail To the Editor: Modafinil is the first-line treatment for narcolepsy. It may also improve mood in narcoleptic patients (1). However, psychostimulants may exacerbate psychotic symptoms in psychotic patients (2). Cases of psychosis have also been reported during psychostimulant abuse (3) and during abuse of prescribed drug in narcoleptic patients (4) but not following medical use. Here we report the case of a boy with narcolepsy.Albert was a 17-year-old boy who was diagnosed with narcolepsy at age 14. He was first prescribed modafinil, 400 mg/day for 1 year, switched to methylphenidate, 40 mg/day for 2 years, then returned to modafinil, 400 mg/day. The switching was because of complaints of irritability and of a lack of efficacy for sleep attacks. Albert then experienced flight of ideas, sexual excitation, and increased irritability. These manic symptoms resulted in friction with family members and a fight for which he could have been put on trial. Then, free of psychostimulant treatment, Albert was described as sad, anhedonic, and withdrawn. Following reintroduction of modafinil, the same manic symptoms reoccurred. After a meeting with a judge, Albert experienced self-referential thinking and suspiciousness. Later, a full manic episode developed within 3 days, including insomnia, tachypsychia, logorrhea, psychomotor agitation, and mood-incongruent psychosis. There was no grandiosity but delusion of persecution, based on auditory hallucinations (his uncle reproaching him for his past sexual behavior), complex visual hallucinations (a vampire hiding in his bedroom and trying to bite him), and a feeling of being talked to through the television. Albert was hospitalized, and the modafinil was stopped. The mania required pharmacological treatment that started after written consent was obtained from both Albert and his parents.These mood symptoms seem time-related to psychostimulant administration and interruption. Exposure lasted for only 3 years, but discontinuation and reintroduction might have lowered the manic threshold. Contrary to previous reports of psychosis induced by psychostimulant abuse (3), the patient showed no trend toward dose escalation. This could be the first report of mania under a therapeutic dose of modafinil. The symptoms were compatible with psychostimulant-induced psychosis. Although an independent psychiatric disorder cannot be ruled out, we suggest a careful psychiatric monitoring of patients receiving modafinil and other psychostimulants for the treatment of narcolepsy.

Cervical Cancer Risk Rises If Women with HPV Also Have Herpes Infection

Women who have human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of the cervix have a greater risk of invasive cervical cancer if they also have genital herpes according to a pooled analysis of case-control studies. Women with invasive cervical cancer were much more likely than women without cervical cancer to have HPV-infected cervical cells but they were also nearly twice as likely to have antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Among all women who had HPV-infected cervical cells women who also had antibodies to HSV- 2 had more than twice the risk of squamous cell carcinoma and more than three times the risk of adenocarcinoma or adenosquamous cell carcinoma relative to women who did not have these antibodies. Neither past sexual behavior nor chlamydial infection modified these associations. (excerpt)