The role of substance misuse and sexual victimization history on sexual violence risk perception in men who have sex with men: A novel paradigm.

Objective: Sexual victimization (SV) is common among men who have sex with men (MSM) as is dating and sexual networking (DSN) app use. We developed a novel laboratory paradigm ("G-Date") of sexual violence risk perception in DSN app environments and explored its validity and the role of substance misuse and SV history on sexual violence risk perception.

Method: Using convenience sampling, we recruited 145 MSM to use G-Date to interact with two bogus speed dates whose responses were scripted to be risky or non-risky.

Assessment of Sexual Violence Risk Perception in Men Who Have Sex With Men: Proposal for the Development and Validation of "G-Date".

Background: Sexual violence (SV) is a significant problem for sexual minorities, including men who have sex with men (MSM). The limited research suggests SV is associated with a host of syndemic conditions. These factors tend to cluster and interact to worsen one another.

Pilot Randomized Trial of an Expressive Writing Intervention to Reduce Sexual HIV-Transmission Risk and Substance Use Among Emerging Adult Gay and Bisexual Men.

This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of expressive writing to reduce HIV-related sexual risk taking and symptoms of drug dependence among emerging adult gay and bisexual men (EAGBM) through linguistic mechanisms involving use of words associated with cognitive processing (e.g., think, cause), positive emotion (e.

Changing Trends in Substance Use and Sexual Risk Disparities among Sexual Minority Women as a Function of Sexual Identity, Behavior, and Attraction: Findings from the National Survey of Family Growth, 2002-2015.

Components of sexual minority (SM) status-including lesbian or bisexual identity, having same-sex partners, or same-sex attraction-individually predict substance use and sexual risk behavior disparities among women. Few studies have measured differing associations by sexual orientation components (identity, behavior, and attraction), particularly over time. Data were drawn from the 2002-2015 National Survey of Family Growth female sample (n = 31,222).

Sexual Orientation and Pregnancy Among Adolescent Women in the National Survey of Family Growth, 2002-2015.

Given elevated pregnancy rates, fluctuating sexual identity, and varying sexual experience among adolescent sexual minority women (ASMW; lesbian/bisexual identity, attraction to/sex with females), research should assess adolescent pregnancy by sexual attraction with identity and experience. This study examined associations of three aspects of sexuality-identity, attraction, and experience-with pregnancy among ASMW versus non-ASMW. Population-weighted data were drawn from the 2002 to 2015 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG), 15- to 19-year-old female subsample ( = 5481).

Linguistic correlates of the Communication Patterns Questionnaire: The correspondence of language and quantitative measures of perceived communication patterns among emerging adult gay male couples.

Up to two-thirds of new HIV infections among sexual minority men are estimated to occur within main partnerships, with the greatest burden among younger partners ages 18 to 29. Various interpersonal processes, such as perceived communication patterns, influence HIV behavioral health among these couples. Although they represent correlates of health for gay couples, it is unclear how these abstract dynamics manifest in the context of everyday speech.

Declines in Sexual Frequency among American Adults, 1989-2014.

American adults had sex about nine fewer times per year in the early 2010s compared to the late 1990s in data from the nationally representative General Social Survey, N = 26,620, 1989-2014. This was partially due to the higher percentage of unpartnered individuals, who have sex less frequently on average. Sexual frequency declined among the partnered (married or living together) but stayed steady among the unpartnered, reducing the marital/partnered advantage for sexual frequency.

Measuring Sexual Orientation: A Review and Critique of U.S. Data Collection Efforts and Implications for Health Policy.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Healthy People 2020 goals sought to improve health outcomes among sexual minorities; HHS acknowledged that a dearth of sexual orientation items in federal and state health surveys obscured a broad understanding of sexual minority-related health disparities.

Sexual Inactivity During Young Adulthood Is More Common Among U.S. Millennials and iGen: Age, Period, and Cohort Effects on Having No Sexual Partners After Age 18.

Examining age, time period, and cohort/generational changes in sexual experience is key to better understanding sociocultural influences on sexuality and relationships. Americans born in the 1980s and 1990s (commonly known as Millennials and iGen) were more likely to report having no sexual partners as adults compared to GenX'ers born in the 1960s and 1970s in the General Social Survey, a nationally representative sample of American adults (N = 26,707). Among those aged 20-24, more than twice as many Millennials born in the 1990s (15 %) had no sexual partners since age 18 compared to GenX'ers born in the 1960s (6 %).

Changes in American Adults' Reported Same-Sex Sexual Experiences and Attitudes, 1973-2014.

We examined change over time in the reported prevalence of men having sex with men and women having sex with women and acceptance of those behaviors in the nationally representative General Social Survey of U.S. adults (n's = 28,161-33,728, ages 18-96 years), 1972-2014.

Motivations for Prescription Drug Misuse among Young Adults: Considering Social and Developmental Contexts.

Aims: As part of a larger study on prescription drug misuse among young adults active in urban nightlife scenes, we examined participants' motivations for misuse. Prescription painkillers, stimulants and sedatives were the primary substances of interest.

Methods: Participants were recruited from nightlife venues in New York using time-space sampling.

Demographic Predictors of Event-Level Associations between Alcohol Consumption and Sexual Behavior.

Alcohol consumption is associated with sexual behavior and outcomes, though research indicates a variety of moderating factors, including demographic characteristics. To better target interventions aimed at alcohol-related sexual risk behavior, our analyses simultaneously examine demographic predictors of both day- and event-level associations between alcohol consumption and sexual behavior in a sample of young adults (N = 301) who are sexually active and consume alcohol. Young adults (aged 18-29) recruited using time-space sampling and incentivized snowball sampling completed a survey and a timeline follow-back calendar reporting alcohol consumption and sexual behavior in the past 30 days.

The role of sexual expectancies of substance use as a mediator between adult attachment and drug use among gay and bisexual men.

Background: Research exploring substance use in gay and bisexual men has increasingly paid attention to interpersonal dynamics and relational concerns associated with the use of substances. The current study explored the role of adult attachment style on drug use as well as the potential mediating role of sexual expectancies of substance use among gay and bisexual men.

Methods: Online survey data were gathered from 122 gay and bisexual men across the U.

Chasing the bean: prescription drug smoking among socially active youth.

Purpose: Alternative consumption practices of prescription drug misuse have been less well monitored than general prevalence. We describe prescription drug smoking among socially active youth and highlight correlates of this practice. We also examine its association with drug problems, drug dependence, and mental health.

From Sexual Assault to Sexual Risk: A Relational Pathway?

Among women and gay and bisexual men, sexual assault is associated with increased rates of sexual risk behavior and negative sexual health outcomes. Although the mechanisms of these effects are potentially myriad, the current analyses examine the role of perceived partner pressure for condomless sex in mediating the association between adult sexual assault (ASA) and recent anal or vaginal sex without a condom. In a sample of 205 young adult women and gay and bisexual men, ASA was indirectly associated with condomless anal and/or vaginal sex via perceptions of partner pressure for condomless sex, χ(1) = 5.

Changes in American Adults' Sexual Behavior and Attitudes, 1972-2012.

In the nationally representative General Social Survey, U.S. Adults (N = 33,380) in 2000-2012 (vs.

Prescription Drug Misuse and Sexual Behavior Among Young Adults.

Though research indicates a complex link between substance use and sexual risk behavior, there is limited research on the association between sexual risk behavior and prescription drug misuse. In light of alarming increases in prescription drug misuse and the role of demographic characteristics in sexual risk behavior and outcomes, the current study examined demographic differences (gender, sexual identity, age, relationship status, parental class background, and race/ethnicity) in sexual risk behavior, sexual behavior under the influence of prescription drugs, and sexual risk behavior under the influence of prescription drugs in a sample of 402 young adults (ages 18 to 29) who misused prescription drugs. Nearly half of the sexually active young adult prescription drug misusers in this sample reported recent sex under the influence of prescription drugs; more than three-quarters reported recent sex without a condom; and more than one-third reported recent sex without a condom after using prescription drugs.

A typology of prescription drug misuse: a latent class approach to differences and harms.

Introduction And Aims: Prescription drug misuse is a considerable problem among young adults, and the identification of types of misuse among this population remains important for prevention and intervention efforts. We use latent class analysis to identify possible distinct latent groups of prescription drug misusers across multiple prescription drug types (pain killers, sedatives and stimulants).

Design And Methods: Our data are comprised of a sample of 404 young adults recruited from nightlife scenes via time-space sampling.

Correlates of prescription drug market involvement among young adults.

Background: While a significant minority of prescription drug misusers report purchasing prescription drugs, little is known about prescription drug selling. We build upon past research on illicit drug markets, which increasingly recognizes networks and nightlife as influential, by examining prescription drug market involvement.

Methods: We use data from 404 young adult prescription drug misusers sampled from nightlife scenes.

Influences of motivational contexts on prescription drug misuse and related drug problems.

Prescription drug misuse has emerged as a significant problem among young adults. While the effects of motivational contexts have been demonstrated for illicit drugs, the role of motivational contexts in prescription drug misuse remains understudied. Using data from 400 young adults recruited via time-space sampling, we examined the role of motivational contexts in the frequency of misuse of three prescription drug types as well as drug-related problems and symptoms of dependency.

Combinations of prescription drug misuse and illicit drugs among young adults.

Background: Prescription drug misuse remains a critical drug trend. Data indicate that young adults in nightlife scenes misuse prescription drugs at high rates. As such, continued surveillance of the patterns of prescription drug misuse among young adults is necessary, particularly assessments that spotlight specific areas of risk, such as polydrug use.

Novel psychoactive drug use among younger adults involved in US nightlife scenes.

Introduction And Aims: The emergence of novel psychoactive substances has been reported in clinical studies and recent studies of users. The use of these substances in European nightlife scenes is well documented. Little research has been done to identify the prevalence of these drugs among young adults active in other regions.

Conflict and expectancies interact to predict sexual behavior under the influence among gay and bisexual men.

As the mechanisms of the associations between substance use and risky sex remain unclear, this study investigates the interactive roles of conflicts about casual sex and condom use and expectancies of the sexual effects of substances in those associations among gay men. Conflict interacted with expectancies to predict sexual behavior under the influence; low casual sex conflict coupled with high expectancies predicted the highest number of casual partners, and high condom use conflict and high expectancies predicted the highest number of unprotected sex acts. Results have implications for intervention efforts that aim to improve sexual decision-making and reduce sexual expectancies.

Prescription drug misuse among young adults: looking across youth cultures.

Introduction And Aims: Youth cultures play a key role in the social organisation of drug trends among young people; the current prescription drug misuse trend is no different. The authors evaluated whether patterns of prescription drug misuse differed across several youth cultures.

Design And Methods: Using field survey methods and time-space sampling during 2011, the authors assessed the patterns and prevalence of prescription drug misuse among young adults who are socially active in various urban youth cultures (n = 1781).