Cited by 229HIV, Drug Use, Sexual RiskSexuality, Behavior, and TechnologyHIV/AIDS Research and Interventions

Sexual Risk-Taking in Gay Men: The Relevance of Sexual Arousability, Mood, and Sensation Seeking

Bancroft, John, Janssen, Erick, Strong, David, Carnes, Lori, Vukadinovic, Zoran, Long, J. Scott·2003·Archives of Sexual Behavior

Abstract

This paper examined the relationship of three aspects of personality to sexual risk-taking in gay men: (1). sexual arousability, as propensity for sexual excitation, and propensity for inhibition of sexual arousal in the face of threat (measured by the Sexual Excitation, SES, and Sexual Inhibition, SIS1, SIS2, scales); (2). the relation between negative mood and sexuality; and (3). sensation seeking. Risk-taking was assessed for the past 6 months in relation to unprotected anal intercourse (UAI), oral sex, number of casual partners, and patterns of cruising behavior. A combination of number of partners and use of condoms was used to derive a "longer-term risk" grouping. Two patterns of association were identified. UAI and high risk oral sex were more likely in those with low inhibition of sexual response due to "threat of performance consequences" (i.e., low SIS2) and low trait anxiety (low STAI). High numbers of casual partners and frequent cruising were associated with increased sexual interest in states of depression and high propensity for sexual excitation (SES). Higher "long-term risk" was also associated with low SIS2. Unexpectedly, high SIS1, which is strongly related to vulnerability to erectile failure, was also predictive of higher long-term risk. Possible reasons for this are discussed. Disinhibition from the Sensation Seeking Scales was a positive predictor of all types of sexual risk assessed. All three aspects of personality are of potential relevance to designing better interventions to reduce high risk sexual behavior and in evaluating their effectiveness.

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Crossref · 10.1023/a:1026041628364

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  • With high arousal, behavior becomes more stimulus-based and impulsive, while restraints exerted from conscious cognitive decision-making carry less weight.

    “With high arousal, behavior becomes more stimulus-based and impulsive, while restraints exerted from conscious cognitive decisionmaking carry less weight.This principle has been applied to sexual risk-taking (Bancroft et al., 2003) and is described by the term 'heat-of-the-moment' (Ariely and Loewenstein, 2006).”

    From A motivation model of sex addiction – Relevance to the controversy over the concept (2022) · cites this paper as Bancroft et al., 2003

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Authors
Bancroft, J., Janssen, E., Strong, D., Carnes, L., Vukadinovic, Z., & Long, J. S.
Affiliations
Indiana University Bloomington (US)
Corresponding author
Bancroft, John
Venue
Archives of Sexual Behavior
Published
2003-12
Volume
32
Issue
6
Pages
555-572
ISSN
  • 0004-0002 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-2800
OpenAlex
W1594647514
Cited by
228
References
58
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 18 · 2012: 11
FWCI
6.55
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Archives of Sexual Behavior (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5r01mh060519-02)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R01-MH60519-02)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
Keywords
sexual risk behavior, gay men, sexual inhibition, sexual excitation, negative mood, depression, sensation seeking, unprotected anal intercourse, oral sex, casual sex partners, condom use, trait anxiety, HIV prevention interventions
MeSH terms
Adult, Affect, Aged, Anxiety, Arousal, Coitus, Depression, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Penile Erection, Predictive Value of Tests, Psychological Tests, Surveys and Questionnaires, Regression Analysis, Risk-Taking, Sexual Behavior, Sexual Partners, Time Factors, Homosexuality, Male

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