title: Negative self-perceptions and sexual risk behavior among heterosexual methamphetamine users.
abstract: This research examined the relationship between negative self-perceptions and sexual risk behavior in a sample of 156 heterosexually identified, methamphetamine users from San Diego, California. The Beck Depression Inventory and the Self Esteem Rating Scale, respectively, were used to assess depression and negative self-perceptions. Measures of sexual risk behavior and methamphetamine use were developed specifically for this research. Data were gathered in 2001-2002. Participants were primarily male (76%), Caucasian (56%), never married (51%), and unemployed (73%), with a mean age of 39.1 years. Participants with high levels of negative self-perceptions evidenced the greatest degree of sexual risk behavior, including significantly more unprotected vaginal sex and a larger number of sexual partners as compared to individuals with low levels of negative self-perceptions. In cross-sectional analyses, negative self-perceptions predicted intensity of methamphetamine use and depressive symptoms. However, neither of these variables were found to mediate the relationship between negative self-perceptions and sexual risk behavior. Findings are discussed in relation to the need for further research into the role of negative self-perceptions as a determinant of sexual risk behavior among methamphetamine users.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0680, USA.
authors.forename: Shirley J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Semple
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: Thomas L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Patterson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012649:Self Concept; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D008694:Methamphetamine