Negative Self-Perceptions and Sexual Risk Behavior Among Heterosexual Methamphetamine Users

Abstract

This research examined the relationship between negative self-perceptions and sexual risk behavior in a sample of 156 heterosexually identified, methamphetamine users from San Diego, California. The Beck Depression Inventory and the Self Esteem Rating Scale, respectively, were used to assess depression and negative self-perceptions. Measures of sexual risk behavior and methamphetamine use were developed specifically for this research. Data were gathered in 2001–2002. Participants were primarily male (76%), Caucasian (56%), never married (51%), and unemployed (73%), with a mean age of 39.1 years. Participants with high levels of negative self-perceptions evidenced the greatest degree of sexual risk behavior, including significantly more unprotected vaginal sex and a larger number of sexual partners as compared to individuals with low levels of negative self-perceptions. In cross-sectional analyses, negative self-perceptions predicted intensity of methamphetamine use and depressive symptoms. However, neither of these variables were found to mediate the relationship between negative self-perceptions and sexual risk behavior. Findings are discussed in relation to the need for further research into the role of negative self-perceptions as a determinant of sexual risk behavior among methamphetamine users.

Keywords:

• methamphetamine
• heterosexual
• self-perceptions
• sexual behavior
• depression

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Shirley J. Semple

Shirley J. Semple, Ph.D., is Canadian born and earned her doctorate in Human Development and Aging from the University of California, San Francisco. She is currently a project scientist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego where she has been conducting HIV research for the past thirteen years. Dr. Semple has published over 75 articles focusing on psychosocial aspects of HIV risk behavior in a number of populations including HIV+ individuals, methamphetamine users, and female sex workers. She is currently a co-investigator on three sexual risk reduction interventions for high-risk populations.

Igor Grant

Igor Grant, M.D., is Professor and Executive Vice-Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Associate Chief of Psychiatry for Research at the San Diego VA Healthcare System. Dr. Grant is Director of the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center (HNRC), the California NeuroAIDS Tissue Network (CNTN), the University of California Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR), the CNS HIV Antiretroviral Therapy Effects Research (CHARTER), and the NIDA-funded program project “NeuroAIDS: Effects of Methamphetamine.” Dr. Grant is also the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society.

Thomas L. Patterson

Thomas L. Patterson, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego, and has been conducting psychosocial research with HIV+ populations since 1989. He is the P.I. of an NIMH-funded sexual risk reduction intervention for female sex workers being conducted in four Mexican border cities. In addition, he is also the P.I. of two HIV risk reduction intervention studies seeking to reduce high-risk behavior in methamphetamine users. He has published many papers and chapters in the field, is the editor of AIDS and Behavior, and serves on a number of AIDS review committees.