The impact of alcohol use on the sexual scripts of HIV-positive men who have sex with men.
The literature on alcohol use has failed to form a consensus on the association between alcohol use and unsafe sex among samples of men who have sex with men (MSM). Although drinking behavior may not be causally related to unsafe sex, it is possible that alcohol use plays a role in sexual scripts. In this paper, we assessed the role that alcohol use plays in the sexual experiences of HIV-seropositive MSM in terms of sexual script theory. An ethnically diverse sample (81% men of color) of HIV-positive MSM with alcohol use disorders from the New York City metropolitan area was recruited from a variety of settings frequented by such men. A critical incident measure was used to qualitatively assess contextual issues regarding participants' most recent incident of unsafe sex while under the influence of alcohol. Qualitative analysis revealed three basic sexual scripts involving alcohol: routine, spontaneous, and taboo. Each script had its own sources of risk for unsafe sex. Interventions targeting alcohol use and unsafe sex should be sensitive to the role that alcohol plays in the sexual scripts of HIV-positive MSM.
Hunter College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 695 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10021, USA. jeffrey.parsons@hunter.cuny.edu.
Jeffrey T
JT
Parsons
Kalil J
KJ
Vicioso
Joseph C
JC
Punzalan
Perry N
PN
Halkitis
Alexandra
A
Kutnick
Mary M
MM
Velasquez
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires