Sex-Related Alcohol Expectancies Among African American Women Attending an Urban STI Clinic |
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| Authors: | Heidi E. Hutton Mary E. McCaul Jeanette Norris Julia D. Valliant Tina Abrefa-Gyan Geetanjali Chander |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine;2. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, University of Washington;3. Illinois Children's Environmental Health Research Center, and Family Resiliency Center, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign;4. School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Baltimore;5. Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine |
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| Abstract: | African American women are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Alcohol use is a significant risk factor for HIV/STI acquisition. Sex-related alcohol expectancies (SRAEs) may partially account for alcohol-related risky sexual behaviors. Using qualitative interviews we explored the link between alcohol use and risky sex among 20 African American women attending an STI clinic who had consumed four or more alcoholic drinks per drinking day (binge drinking) and/or reported vaginal or anal sex while under the influence of alcohol. Four SRAEs emerged, which we named drink for sexual desire, drink for sexual power, drink for sexual excuse, and drink for anal sex. While the desire SRAE has been documented, this study identified three additional SRAEs not currently assessed by expectancy questionnaires. These SRAEs may contribute to high-risk sex when under the influence of alcohol and suggests the importance of developing integrated alcohol–sexual risk reduction interventions for high-risk women. |
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