Associations between impulsivity and high risk sexual behaviors in dually diagnosed outpatients.

Background/objectives: It is unknown whether impulsivity is associated with risky sexual behavior in dually diagnosed clients.

Methods: Impulsivity in 51 sexually-active, dually diagnosed clients was assessed by the Barrett Impulsivity Scale, Delayed Discounting Questionnaire, and Wisconsin Card-Sorting Task, and a path analysis of relationship to self-reported risk behaviors was conducted.

Results: Recent cocaine use was correlated with risky sexual behaviors and a preference for immediate over larger, delayed rewards trended towards a correlation.

Conclusion And Scientific Significance: The association between impulsivity and risky sexual behavior among substance users appears to extend to the dually diagnosed. Implications for HIV prevention are discussed.