Application of the social action theory to understand factors associated with risky sexual behavior among individuals in residential substance abuse treatment.
Risky sexual behavior (RSB) is a leading cause of HIV/AIDS, particularly among urban substance users. Using the social action theory, an integrative systems model of sociocognitive, motivational, and environmental influences, as a guiding framework, the current study examined (1) environmental influences, (2) psychopathology and affect, (3) HIV-related attitudes and knowledge, and (4) self-regulatory skills/deficits as factors associated with event-level condom use (CU) among a sample of 156 substance users residing at a residential substance abuse treatment center (M age = 41.85; SD = 8.59; 75% male). RSB was assessed using event-level measurement of CU given its advantages for improved accuracy of recall and ability for an examination of situational variables. A logistic regression predicting event-level CU indicated the significant contribution of partner type (environmental influences), less favorable attitudes towards condoms (HIV-related attitudes and knowledge), and higher levels of risk-taking propensity (self-regulatory skills/deficits) in predicting greater likelihood of not having used a condom at one's most recent sexual encounter. This study contributes to the literature examining HIV risk behaviors among substance users within a theory-driven model of risk.
Reynolds
Elizabeth K
EK
Department ofPsychology, University of Maryland, Center for Addictions, Personality, and Emotion Research, College Park, MD 20742, USA. ereynolds@psyc.umd.edu
Magidson
Jessica F
JF
Bornovalova
Marina A
MA
Gwadz
Marya
M
Ewart
Craig K
CK
Daughters
Stacey B
SB
Lejuez
C W
CW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012114:Residential Treatment; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012927:Social Control, Informal; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*