Cognitive mediation of alcohol's effects on women's in-the-moment sexual decision making.
OBJECTIVE
To test a cognitive mediation model examining whether cognitive appraisals mediate alcohol consumption effects on condom request and unprotected sex intentions.


METHODS
Female social drinkers (N = 173) participated in an experiment comparing four beverage conditions: control, placebo, target BAL = .04%, and target BAL = .08%. Subjects projected themselves into a hypothetical sexual encounter with a new sex partner.


METHODS
Appraisals of the situation's sexual potential, impelling and inhibiting cognitions, and behavioral intentions were assessed at several points.


RESULTS
Findings support the theoretical model, indicating that alcohol's effects on direct condom request and unprotected sex intentions were mediated through cognitive appraisals.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevention interventions should include information about alcohol's effects on cognitions that may lead to ineffective condom negotiation and unprotected sex.
Norris
Jeanette
J
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105-4631, USA. norris@u.washington.edu
Stoner
Susan A
SA
Hessler
Danielle M
DM
Zawacki
Tina M
TM
George
William H
WH
Morrison
Diane M
DM
Davis
Kelly C
KC
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003657:Decision Making / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021841:Safe Sex; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult