Vengeance, sexual compulsivity and self-efficacy among men who have sex with men living with HIV

ABSTRACT

Vengeance is defined as a continuum of thoughts and/or actions ranging from harmless thoughts to destruction or death, due to feelings of hurt or anger, as a result of a perceived personal attack. Studies assessing the association between vengeance and HIV risk behavior are extremely lacking. The primary aims of this study were to examine the associations between vengeance and sexual compulsivity (SC), and self-efficacies (SEs) for condom use, HIV disclosure, and negotiation of safer sex practices. Data were obtained from 266 men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV. Simple and multiple linear regression were used to explore the associations between vengeance, SC and SE. After adjusting for sociodemographic and HIV-related factors, there was a negative association between vengeance and SE for HIV disclosure: (most vengeful: β = −1.49; 95% CI: −2.40, −0.58; more vengeful: β = −1.17; 95% CI: −2.12, −0.22; vengeance (continuous: β = −0.03; 95% CI: −0.05, −0.01). Intervention programs geared towards improving SE for HIV disclosure among MSM living with HIV should endeavor to reduce vengeful feelings.

KEYWORDS:

• Vengeance
• sexual compulsivity
• self-efficacy
• HIV
• MSM

Acknowledgement

We would like thank the men who participated in the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this study was obtained from the National Institute of Mental Health [grant number R01MH082639].