Examining Delay Discounting of Condom-Protected Sex Among Men Who Have Sex with Men Using Crowdsourcing Technology

• Published in: AIDS and behavior 2015-09, Vol.19 (9), p.1655-1665
• Main Authors: Herrmann, Evan S., Johnson, Patrick S., Johnson, Matthew W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; Addictive behaviors; Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; AIDS; Condoms; Condoms - utilization; Crowdsourcing; Decision Making; Decisions; Delay; Delay Discounting; Depression; Drug use; Health Psychology; Health risk assessment; Health risks; HIV; HIV Infections - prevention & control; HIV Infections - psychology; Homosexuality; Homosexuality, Male - psychology; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Infectious Diseases; Knowledge; Male; Males; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Men; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Original Paper; Psychiatry; Public Health; Risk; Risk Factors; Risk taking; Safe Sex - psychology; Sex; Sexual behavior; Sexual Behavior - psychology; Sexual intercourse; Sexual Partners - psychology; Sexually transmitted diseases; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - prevention & control; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - psychology; Skills; Socioeconomic Factors; Socioeconomic status; Socioeconomics; STD; Substance abuse; Substance use; Substance-Related Disorders; Surveys and Questionnaires; Technology; Unsafe Sex - psychology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1090-7165; 1573-3254
• DOI: 10.1007/s10461-015-1107-x

Some men who have sex with men (MSM) have unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in situations that put them at risk for HIV infection despite having the knowledge and skills to avoid these risks. The present study examined the potential role of delay discounting in sexual HIV risk behavior among MSM. Participants ( n  = 108) completed the Sexual Discounting Task and a questionnaire regarding UAI and other variables associated with HIV risk (e.g., age, socioeconomic status, substance use, psychiatric problems). MSM discounted the value of condom-protected anal intercourse in a manner that was orderly, hyperbolic, and sensitive to partner characteristics that likely influence realworld decisions about using condoms. Steeper discounting was associated with UAI, and other factors related to sexual HIV risk among MSM, including young age, socioeconomic disadvantage, substance use, sex under the influence of substances, and depression). Delay discounting is likely a critical, but underappreciated facet of HIV risk among MSM.