The Amyl Nitrite Expectancy Questionnaire for Men who have Sex with Men (AEQ-MSM): A Measure of Substance-Related Beliefs

Abstract

A measure of perceived reinforcement associated with amyl nitrite was developed and evaluated among gay and bisexual men. This is the first known expectancy measure to date for this drug class. The Amyl Nitrite Expectancy Questionnaire for Men who have Sex with Men (AEQ-MSM) was completed online by 102 gay and bisexual men, between 2006 and 2008 in Queensland, Australia. The AEQ-MSM demonstrated good psychometric properties and was associated with consumption patterns. Factor analysis revealed three distinct reinforcement domains: “Enhanced sexual desire and pleasure,” “Disorientation,” and “Sexual negotiation.” Limitations include sampling via self-selection, recruitment through health centers and self-report data. Implications for sexual activity and risk-taking, including reducing associated harm (e.g., HIV transmission), and future directions are discussed.

RESUME

Une mesure du réenforcement percu associé au nitrite d'amyle a été développée et évaluée parmis les hommes gays et bisexuels. Il s'agit de la premiere mesure attendue connue a ce jour pour cette classe demédicament. Le questionnaire Attente du Nitrite d'Amyle pour les Hommes ayant des relations Sexuelles avec des Hommes (ANA—HSH) a été complétée en ligne par 102 hommes gay et bisexuels, entre 2006 et 2008 au Queensland, Australie. Le questionnaire a démontré de bonne propriétés biométriques et a été associé aux habitutes d'usage. L'analyse factorielle a révélée trois domaines de reinforcement distincts: “Accroissement du désir et du plaisir sexuel,” “Désorientation,” et “Négociation sexuelle.” Les limites incluent un echantillon par auto-sélection, recruité a travers les centres de santé et des données auto-declarées. Les implications pour l'activité sexuelle et la prise de risques, y compris la réduction de risques associés (ex. Transmission du VIH), et les futures objectifs sont discutés.

RESUMEN

Se desarrolló y evaluó un instrumento para medir la percepción del efecto reforzador asociado conel uso de nitrito de amilo entre hombres homosexuales y bisexuales. Hasta el momento, esta es la primera medida de expectativa desarrollada para este tipo de droga. El Cuestionario de Expectativas hacia el Nitrito de Amilo para Hombres que tienen Sexo con Hombres (AEQ-MSM en inglés) fue diligenciado en línea por 102 hombres homosexuales y bisexuales, entre los años 2006 y 2008 en Queensland-Australia. El cuestionario AEQ-MSM demostró adecuadas propiedades psicométricas y asociación con patrones de consumo. El análisis factorial reveló tres diferentes dominios de refuerzo: “Incremento en el deseo sexual y placer,” “Desorientación,” y “Negociación sexual.” Entre las limitaciones se encuentran la utilización de una muestra compuesta por voluntarios, reclutamiento a través de centros de salud y auto-reporte de datos. Se discuten las implicaciones para la actividad sexual y los riesgos, incluyendo reducción de daños asociados (por ejemplo transmisión de VIH) y trabajos futuros.

Keywords :

• amyl nitrite expectancies
• amyl nitrite use
• “poppers
• ” reinforcement from amyl nitrite
• factor analysis
• online questionnaire
• gay/bisexual

THE AUTHORS

Amy B. Mullens, B.A., M.Sc. (Psyc), Ph.D. Candidate at Queensland University of Technology (QUT, Australia), and she has over 10 years of practice as a Clinical Psychologist in the health sector, including working in HIV/sexual health for the past eight years. She is also a sessional Lecturer and Tutor at QUT and the University of Queensland. Her research interests include health protective behavior change and behavioral medicine, and she has researched and published in various areas including HIV, sexual health, substance use, and oncology.

Professor Ross McD. Young, B.Sc. (Hons), DipClinPsyc, M.Sc., Ph.D., is the Executive Director, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) at Queensland University of Technology. He is also a Visiting Research Fellow at the Alcohol Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles. Professor Young is a Clinical Psychologist and his research interests lie in the integration of psychological and biological risk factors in mental illness. His research includes work in substance misuse, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and more broadly in behavioral medicine. Professor Young has widely over 150 published papers in genetic, medical, psychiatric, and psychological journals.

Professor Michael P. Dunne, B.A. (Hons), Ph.D., in cognitive psychology and commenced his research career with studies in the psychopharmacology of human memory and attention. Over the past two decades, he has worked in psychiatric epidemiology and now focuses on understanding the influence of early life adversity on the development of psychological disorders, particularly in East Asian countries. He maintains an interest in behavioral research related to HIV/AIDS prevention. He also teaches Epidemiology and International Health in the QUT School of Public Health.

Graham Norton, Diploma in Mediation, Certificate in Drug and Alcohol Counselling, was appointed as the Program Manager with Queensland Association for Healthy Communities in 2005. He is also a member of the AFAO Education Managers Forum and the University of Queensland HIV Education Management Committee. Graham trained in mediation before turning his attention to drug and alcohol counseling and eventually health promotion where he now supervises a field staff of nine health promotion officers providing gay men's HIV prevention services across Queensland. Graham Norton has a special interest in the intersection points of illicit drug use and decision-making processes for sexual encounters.

Glossary

• Amyl nitrite: A volatile liquid composed of alcohol, sodium nitrite, and sulfuric acid, and it is used primarily to get high.

• MSM: Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.

• Substance-related expectancies: Beliefs about the perceived reinforcing consequences of specific drug use.