Sexual alcohol expectancies moderate the relation between alcohol use and sexual behavior among men who have sex with men

• Published in: Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2024-11, Vol.120, p.35-40
• Main Authors: Murray, Grace E., Palfai, Tibor P., Kratzer, Maya P.L., Maisto, Stephen A., Simons, Jeffrey S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Addictive behaviors; Adult; alcohol; Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology; Alcohol Drinking - psychology; alcohol expectancies; Alcohol use; Beverages; condomless sex; Condoms; Condoms - statistics & numerical data; Disease control; Disease transmission; Drinking behavior; Drug abuse; Gays & lesbians; Health care industry; Health services; Heterosexuality; HIV; HIV Infections - epidemiology; HIV Infections - psychology; Homosexuality, Male - psychology; Homosexuality, Male - statistics & numerical data; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Male; Mens health; Mental health care; Middle Aged; MSM; Public health; Sexual behavior; Sexual Behavior - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Unsafe Sex - psychology; Unsafe Sex - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0741-8329; 1873-6823; 1873-6823
• DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2023.12.005

HIV transmission remains a significant health concern for men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States. Heavy episodic drinking (HED) is related to increased rates of condomless anal intercourse (CAI) among MSM, though evidence suggests that this association may vary by individual difference factors. The present secondary analysis tested whether sexual alcohol expectancies (SAEs) moderate the associations between frequency of HED and anal intercourse (AI) with and without a condom among moderate-to-heavy drinking HIV- MSM. Two hundred and forty-eight moderate-to-heavy drinking MSM completed self-report questionnaires including the Sexual Behavior Questionnaire, the Modified Daily Drinking Questionnaire, and the Sexual Alcohol Expectancies Questionnaire. Negative binomial regressions indicated that SAEs moderated the association between frequency of HED and AI with a condom, but not between the frequency of HED and condomless AI (CAI). These results suggest that stronger SAEs play a role in alcohol-related sexual behavior among MSM, but do not provide evidence that SAEs are associated with increased risk for HIV transmission through CAI. •Expectancies moderate the drinking-frequency and anal-sex frequency relation.•Expectancies do not moderate relation of drinking frequency and condomless anal sex.•Expectancies related to increased riskiness are the strongest moderators.