Negative mood and sexual behavior among non-monogamous men who have sex with men in the context of methamphetamine and HIV

Bousman, C.A.; Cherner, M.; Ake, C.; Letendre, S.; Atkinson, J.H.; Patterson, T.L.; Grant, I.; Everall, I.P.; The HNRC Group,

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2009.04.006

« Previous Next »Journal of Affective Disorders
Volume 119, Issue 1 , Pages 84-91, December 2009

Negative mood and sexual behavior among non-monogamous men who have sex with men in the context of methamphetamine and HIV

C.A. Bousman
- University of California San Diego, HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, La Jolla, California, USA
- San Diego State/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health (Health Behavior), USA
M. Cherner
- University of California San Diego, HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, La Jolla, California, USA
C. Ake
- University of California San Diego, HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, La Jolla, California, USA
S. Letendre
- University of California San Diego, HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, La Jolla, California, USA
J.H. Atkinson
- University of California San Diego, HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, La Jolla, California, USA
T.L. Patterson
- University of California San Diego, HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, La Jolla, California, USA
I. Grant
- University of California San Diego, HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, La Jolla, California, USA
I.P. Everall
- University of California San Diego, HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, La Jolla, California, USA
- Corresponding author. Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 140 W. Arbor Dr., 2nd floor, San Diego, CA 92103, USA.
The HNRC Group

Received 4 November 2008; received in revised form 18 March 2009; accepted 7 April 2009.

Abstract

Background

Research comparing the independent and combined contextual effects of methamphetamine dependence (METH) and HIV-infection (HIV) on mood and sexual behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM) has been sparse and inconsistent. This study examined the contextual influence of METH, HIV-infection and their combination on mood states and sexual behavior.

Methods

175 non-monogamous MSM concordant or discordant for METH and HIV were included. Multivariate analysis was conducted to examine mood and sexual behavior differences between groups, as well as to elucidate the relationship between mood and sexual risk behavior and explore the potential moderator (i.e. contextual) effects of METH and/or HIV on this relationship.

Results

METH+/HIV+ participants reported condom use less than 25% of the time whereas METH-/HIV+ participants reported condom use 51–75% of the time. METH+ and HIV+ status were associated with higher depression and confusion scores. Univariate regressions revealed negative relationships between mood states (depression, tension, anger, fatigue and confusion) and condom use. Neither METH nor HIV status moderated the relationships between negative mood and condom use.

Limitations

Results are derived from cross-sectional data, sample sizes for each of the four groups were relatively small, and condom use could not be linked to specific sexual practices and/or partner types.

Conclusion

METH dependence, HIV seropositivity, and negative moods are associated with reduced condom use among non-monogamous MSM. Independent effects of METH dependence and negative mood on condom use suggest that sexual risk reduction interventions for MSM should incorporate multi-faceted approaches, including substance abuse and mental health treatment.

Keywords: Mood, Sexual behavior, Methamphetamine, HIV, MSM