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Sexual Discounting of Condom Use with Delay by Men: Implications of Relationship Status and Sexual Orientation

Hahn, Hunter, Hahn
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9342-4117
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1510157695060385

Abstract Details

2017, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, Psychology.
Men who have sex with men (MSM) experience the highest rates of HIV infection in the US and are the only group for whom incidence of HIV infection continues to grow. Research suggests that sexual risk behaviors arise in part from delay discounting of (i.e., under-valuing) later protected sex vs. immediate unprotected sex—a phenomenon known as sexual discounting (e.g., unprotected sex now or sex with a condom after a delay of 1 hour). To date, however, no studies have compared sexual discounting between MSM and heterosexual men, so it is unknown whether these groups make decisions regarding safe sex in similar or different ways. In addition, estimates suggest that over two thirds of HIV transmissions occur between individuals in committed relationships, who, given increased trust, reduce condom use and engage in more frequent sexual interactions. Critically, current sexual discounting tasks examine sexual discounting only with hypothetical strangers, leaving a large gap in our understanding of sexual discounting with committed/primary sexual partners. We used the Sexual Discounting Task (SDT) to (1) compare sexual discounting rates between MSM (n=99) and heterosexual men (n=144), and (2) pilot and validate a new SDT condition to evaluate sexual discounting of condom use with romantic partners as opposed to hypothetical strangers. Discounting correlated with self-report measures of sexual risk behavior, substance use, and impulsivity. No differences between MSM and heterosexual men emerged in the original conditions of the SDT. However, MSM in committed relationships discounted protected sex at higher rates than heterosexual men when considering sex with their current romantic partner. These findings suggest a possible mechanism of increased HIV transmission between MSM in committed relationships and highlight a critical target for intervention.
Theodore Beauchaine, PhD (Advisor)
Woo-Young Ahn, PhD (Committee Member)
Baldwin Way, PhD (Committee Member)
49 p.
Psychology; Public Health

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hahn, Hahn, H. (2017). Sexual Discounting of Condom Use with Delay by Men: Implications of Relationship Status and Sexual Orientation [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1510157695060385

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hahn, Hahn, Hunter. Sexual Discounting of Condom Use with Delay by Men: Implications of Relationship Status and Sexual Orientation . 2017. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1510157695060385.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hahn, Hahn, Hunter. "Sexual Discounting of Condom Use with Delay by Men: Implications of Relationship Status and Sexual Orientation ." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1510157695060385

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1510157695060385
389
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.