Alcohol Consumption and Hiv Risk Behaviours: Integrating the Theories of Alcohol Myopia and Outcome-Expectancies

Abstract

Reports have indicated that the use of alcohol is related to HIV risk related sexual behaviour (e.g. non-use of condoms during sexual intercourse). Studies suffer from methodological limitations such that causal conclusions about the role of alcohol in sexual risk taking are limited. Theories describing the association between alcohol and increased sexual risk behaviour have been suggested. Empirical findings may be limited and require re-examination within the theoretical context of the psychological processes that influence sexual decision-making. If processes are not explored and understood within theoretical boundaries, little advantage can be gained in the development of related interventions (e.g. health promotion) or significant clarification of the alcohol-sexual behaviour relationship. This paper discusses evidence from the alcohol expectancy literature and the alcohol myopia literature and emphasises the dynamic relationship between these sources. Relevant evidence is presented and integrated to provide a more comprehensive appreciation of possible psychological processes involved in sexual decision-making after the consumption of alcohol.