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Cappelli C, Pike JR, Xie B, Michaels AJ, Stacy AW. Adolescent's explicit and implicit cigarette cognitions predict experimentation with both cigarettes and e-cigarettes. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2024; 50:401-412. [PMID: 38768439 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2024.2335979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Background: Past year, month, and lifetime adolescent e-cigarette use rates remain persistently high, despite falling cigarette use rates. Previous investigations have noted a strong relationship between an individual's positive and negative cognitions related to a behavior, and subsequent initiation of that behavior.Objective: This investigation was conducted to determine the impact positive and negative explicit and implicit cigarette-related cognitions may have on the use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes among at-risk, cigarette-naive adolescents.Methods: A three-year longitudinal investigation evaluated the relationship between cigarette-related cognitions and subsequent cigarette and e-cigarette use among 586 alternative high school students (female: 50.8%; mean age: 17.4 years; Hispanic/Latino: 75.0%) who had never smoked cigarettes at the baseline assessment. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to generate demographics-adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).Results: Students with higher positive explicit cigarette cognitions at the baseline had greater odds of subsequent cigarette use (OR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.11-2.68). If students also reported an increase over time in positive (OR = 3.45, 95% CI 2.10-5.68) or negative (OR = 1.93, 95% CI 1.03-3.61) explicit cigarette cognitions, the odds of cigarette use increased. The odds of dual use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes were greater among students who had higher negative implicit cigarette cognitions at the baseline (OR = 2.07, 95% CI 1.03-4.17) compared to those with lower levels of negative implicit cognitions.Conclusion: Prevention programming that focuses on decreasing positive cognitions related to nicotine and tobacco use may have greater overall effect on decreasing use compared to programs that only focus on increasing negative cognitions individuals form surrounding cigarette or e-cigarettes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Cappelli
- Department of Health and Human Sciences, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - James Russell Pike
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Bin Xie
- School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, USA
| | - Alyssa Jenna Michaels
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Alan W Stacy
- School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, USA
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2
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Maisto SA, Simons JS, Palfai TP, Moskal D, Luehring-Jones P. Daily Associations Among Alcohol Intoxication, Partner Familiarity, Participant Effortful Control, Urgency, and PrEP Uptake on Sexual Behavior in Men Who Have Sex with Men. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2021; 50:2843-2860. [PMID: 33594529 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-020-01852-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of alcohol intoxication and its interaction with contextual or situation (partner familiarity) and individual differences variables (effortful control, urgency, and whether taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication) on sexual behaviors in men who have sex with men (MSM), a subgroup for whom HIV continues to be a major public health problem in the U.S. The participants were 236 men recruited from two northeastern U.S. cities and aged 21-50 years, M = 27.8). These men participated in a 6-week (two 3-week sampling bursts) experience sampling method (ESM) study. The ESM data were collected via use of software installed on the participant's own or study-provided mobile phone. Individual differences variables were measured by participants' completing questionnaires measuring effortful control and urgency, and the participant's self-report of whether he was currently taking PrEP. The ESM data pertained to sexual behavior as well as situation variables of familiarity of relevant sexual partners and number of standard alcohol drinks consumed. The results generally were consistent with hypotheses, as alcohol intoxication showed a curvilinear relation to the occurrence of condomless anal intercourse. Furthermore, the likelihood of occurrence of condomless anal sex increased with increased familiarity of the sexual partner. Similarly, taking PrEP increased the likelihood of occurrence of condomless anal sex. At the same time, alcohol's effects were moderated by all three individual differences variables as expected, but the prediction that partner familiarity would moderate alcohol's effects on the occurrence of condomless sex was not supported. Clinical implications of the findings center on the application of the data to HIV prevention programs toward inclusion of more empirically supported, nuanced information on the relation between acute alcohol intoxication and sexual behavior. Directions for further research address the need for additional testing and refinement of a person × situation approach to alcohol and sexual behavior. Furthermore, it is argued that it is important to refine further the concept of sexual risk in the context of taking PrEP and to conduct more detailed, multivariate studies of the relation between taking PrEP and patterns of sexual behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Maisto
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA.
| | - Jeffrey S Simons
- Department of Psychology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, USA
| | - Tibor P Palfai
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dezarie Moskal
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Peter Luehring-Jones
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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Walters KJ, Simons JS. Force of Habit: the Role of Routinized, Automatic Behaviors along the Path of Self-Regulation and Alcohol-Related Problems. Int J Behav Med 2020; 27:52-64. [DOI: 10.1007/s12529-019-09845-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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Pike JR, Shono Y, Tan N, Xie B, Stacy AW. Retail outlets prompt associative memories linked to the repeated use of nicotine and tobacco products among alternative high school students in California. Addict Behav 2019; 99:106067. [PMID: 31421582 PMCID: PMC6791762 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.106067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Numerous studies have examined how youth are influenced by the presence of tobacco retail outlets that use point-of-sale marketing tactics to promote nicotine and tobacco products. The current investigation extends this research by assessing whether tobacco retail outlets function as environmental cues that prompt associative memories linked to the repeated use of cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and cigars. Students (N = 1060) from 29 alternative high schools in California were recruited into a three-year cohort study. A repeated measures latent profile analysis was conducted to identify latent subgroups of students. Analyses suggested the presence of one subgroup of students that did not use nicotine and tobacco products and five subgroups of students that used multiple products. A multinomial logistic regression revealed that images of gas stations, convenience stores, and liquor stores presented in the first year of the study prompted spontaneous associations in memory that increased the odds a student would belong to one of the five subgroups that repeatedly used nicotine and tobacco products over a three-year period. These findings suggest that tobacco retail outlets may act as environmental cues that prompt the use of addictive products among at-risk youth. Policymakers should consider implementing strategies that reduce the potency and prevalence of these cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Russell Pike
- School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, 675 West Foothill Boulevard, Suite 310, Claremont, CA 91711-3475, USA.
| | - Yusuke Shono
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, 1100 NE 45th Street, Suite 300, Box 354944, Seattle, WA 98195-4944, USA
| | - Nasya Tan
- School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, 675 West Foothill Boulevard, Suite 310, Claremont, CA 91711-3475, USA
| | - Bin Xie
- School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, 675 West Foothill Boulevard, Suite 310, Claremont, CA 91711-3475, USA
| | - Alan W Stacy
- School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, 675 West Foothill Boulevard, Suite 310, Claremont, CA 91711-3475, USA
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Cappelli C, Ames S, Yusuke S, Mark D, Alan S. Affective decision-making moderates the effects of automatic associations on alcohol use among drug offenders. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2017; 43:534-544. [PMID: 27624979 PMCID: PMC6097230 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2016.1216557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Revised: 07/16/2016] [Accepted: 07/16/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study used a dual-process model of cognition in order to investigate the possible influence of automatic and deliberative processes on lifetime alcohol use in a sample of drug offenders. OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine if automatic/implicit associations in memory can exert an influence over an individual's alcohol use and if decision-making ability could potentially modify the influence of these associations. METHODS 168 participants completed a battery of cognitive tests measuring implicit alcohol associations in memory (verb generation) as well as their affective decision-making ability (Iowa Gambling Task). Structural equation modeling procedures were used to test the relationship between implicit associations, decision-making, and lifetime alcohol use. RESULTS Results revealed that among participants with lower levels of decision-making, implicit alcohol associations more strongly predicted higher lifetime alcohol use. CONCLUSION These findings provide further support for the interaction between a specific decision function and its influence over automatic processes in regulating alcohol use behavior in a risky population. Understanding the interaction between automatic associations and decision processes may aid in developing more effective intervention components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Cappelli
- Claremont Graduate University, School of Community and Global Health, 675 West Foothill Blvd., Claremont, CA 91711 United States,
| | - Susan Ames
- Claremont Graduate University, School of Community and Global Health, 675 West Foothill Blvd, Claremont, CA 91711 United States,
| | - Shono Yusuke
- Claremont Graduate University, School of Community and Global Health, 675 West Foothill Blvd., Claremont, CA 91711 United States,
| | - Dust Mark
- Claremont Graduate University, School of Community and Global Health, 675 West Foothill Blvd, Claremont, CA 91711 United States,
| | - Stacy Alan
- Claremont Graduate University, School of Community and Global Health, 675 West Foothill Blvd, Claremont, CA 91711 United States,
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Stiles M, Hudson A, Ramasubbu C, Ames S, Yi S, Gough K, Stewart SH. The Role of Memory Associations in Excessive and Problem Gambling. JOURNAL OF GAMBLING ISSUES 2017. [DOI: 10.4309/jgi.2016.34.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Outcome expectancies (OEs), or beliefs about the consequences of engaging in a particular behaviour, are important predictors of addictive behaviours. In Study 1 of the present work, we assessed whether memory associations between gambling and positive outcomes are related to excessive and problem gambling. The Gambling Behaviour Outcome Association Task (G-BOAT) was administered to a sample of 96 community-recruited gamblers. On the G-BOAT, participants responded to a list of positive outcome phrases with the first two behaviours that came to mind. Those with more problematic gambling (as measured on the Problem Gambling Severity Index) and greater gambling involvement (as measured by time and money spent gambling on the Gambling Timeline Followback) responded to positive outcome phrases on the G-BOAT with more gambling-related responses. In Study 2, we administered G-BOAT to a community-recruited sample of 61 gamblers, who also completed a computerized reaction time measure of implicit gambling OEs, an explicit self-report measure of gambling OEs, and a measure of gambling frequency. Consistent with Strack and Deutch’s (2004) reflective-impulsive model, memory associations on the G-BOAT and positive OE scores on the explicit Gambling Expectancy Questionnaire each predicted unique variance in frequency of gambling behaviour. These studies are among the first to demonstrate the important role of memory associations in excessive and problem gambling.Les résultats escomptés (RE), c’est-à-dire la croyance dans les conséquences d’un comportement donné, constituent une importante variable explicative des comportements liés à la dépendance. L’étude 1 a évalué si des associations mémorielles entre le jeu et des résultats positifs sont reliées aux problèmes de jeu compulsif. La tâche d’association de résultats découlant de comportements liés au jeu (Gambling Behaviour Outcome Association Task [G-BOAT]) a été administrée à un échantillon de 96 joueurs recrutés au sein de la collectivité. Dans le cadre de la G-BOAT, une liste de locutions exprimant un résultat positif était présentée aux participants et ceux-ci devaient répondre en indiquant pour chacune des locutions les deux premiers comportements qui leur venaient à l’esprit. Ceux qui présentaient un problème de jeu plus grave (selon l’indice de jeu problématique) et qui s’adonnaient davantage au jeu (selon le suivi du temps passé à jouer et de l’argent dépensé effectué à l’aide de l’outil Gambling Timeline Followback) ont donné des réponses liées au jeu plus fréquemment que les autres. Dans le cadre de l’étude 2, la G-BOAT a été administrée à un échantillon de 61 joueurs recrutés au sein de la collectivité. Ceux-ci ont en outre fait l’objet d’une mesure informatisée du temps de réponse (TR) pour les RE liés au jeu implicites, d’une autoévaluation des RE liés au jeu explicites et d’une mesure de la fréquence des comportements liés au jeu. Conformément au modèle de réflexion et impulsion de Strack et Deutch (2004), les associations mémorielles obtenues dans le cadre de la G-BOAT et les résultats relatifs aux RE positifs obtenus dans le cadre du questionnaire sur les attentes quant au jeu ont dans les deux cas permis de prévoir une variance unique concernant la fréquence des comportements liés au jeu. Ces études fournissent ainsi un premier ensemble de données probantes relativement à l’importance des associations mémorielles dans l’apparition des problèmes de jeu compulsif.
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Ames SL, Xie B, Shono Y, Stacy AW. Adolescents at risk for drug abuse: a 3-year dual-process analysis. Addiction 2017; 112:852-863. [PMID: 28010052 PMCID: PMC5382108 DOI: 10.1111/add.13742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To test longitudinal additive and synergistic dual-process models in youth at documented risk for drug use. The specific dual-process approach examined suggests that engaging in drug use behaviors results from a dynamic interplay between automatically activated associative memory processes and executive reflective/control processes. DESIGN This 3-year, three-wave population-based prospective study used mobile computer-based assessments. SETTING Self-directed computer assessments were completed in school settings in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, California, USA. PARTICIPANTS Seven hundred and twenty-five at-risk adolescents (44% female) in continuation high schools were recruited during 9th grade (age at recruitment, 14-16). MEASUREMENTS Key outcome measures included past year alcohol, marijuana and cigarette use at each assessment. Predictors included working memory capacity (WMC), associative memory, the interaction term WMC by associative memory, sex, age, ethnicity and acculturation. FINDINGS A significant cross-sectional interaction revealed tobacco-relevant associations were weaker predictors of cigarette use among males with higher WMC than among those with lower WMC (P < 0.004). Alternatively, drug-relevant associations were stronger predictors of past year alcohol (P < 0.001) and marijuana use (P = 0.02) among females with higher WMC than among those with lower WMC. Longitudinal analyses revealed no significant interactions after adjusting for predictive effects of previous drug use. With respect to WMC, females with higher WMC were less likely to use marijuana at 2-year follow-up (P = 0.03). First-order effects of drug-related associations predicted greater alcohol and marijuana use prospectively in males at 1- and 2-year follow up (P ≤ 0.03), and greater past year alcohol and marijuana use in females at 1-year follow up (P ≤ 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Drug-relevant memory associations play a key role in drug use behavior in at-risk youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan L Ames
- School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, USA
| | - Bin Xie
- School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, USA
| | - Yusuke Shono
- School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, USA
| | - Alan W Stacy
- School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, USA
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Wilson MJ, Vassileva J. Neurocognitive and psychiatric dimensions of hot, but not cool, impulsivity predict HIV sexual risk behaviors among drug users in protracted abstinence. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2016; 42:231-41. [PMID: 26837332 PMCID: PMC4955665 DOI: 10.3109/00952990.2015.1121269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impulsivity is an important risk factor for HIV risky drug and sexual behaviors. Research identifies hot (i.e. affectively-mediated, reward-based) and cool (motoric, attentional, independent of context) neurocognitive and psychiatric dimensions of impulsivity, though the impact of specific drugs of abuse on these varieties of impulsivity remains an open question. OBJECTIVES The present study examined the associations of neurocognitive and psychiatric varieties of hot and cool impulsivity with measures of lifetime and recent sexual risk behaviors among users of different classes of drugs. METHODS The study sample was comprised of drug users in protracted (> 1 year) abstinence: heroin mono-dependent (n = 61), amphetamine mono-dependent (n = 44), and polysubstance dependent (n = 73). Hot impulsivity was operationalized via neurocognitive tasks of reward-based decision-making and symptoms of psychopathy. Cool impulsivity was operationalized via neurocognitive tasks of response inhibition and symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). RESULTS Hot impulsivity was associated with sexual risk behaviors among heroin and amphetamine users in protracted abstinence, whereas cool impulsivity was not associated with sexual risk behaviors among any drug-using group. Neurocognitive hot impulsivity was associated with recent (past 30-day) sexual risk behaviors, whereas psychopathy was associated with sexual risk behaviors during more remote time-periods (past 6 month and lifetime) and mediated the association between heroin dependence and past 6-month sexual risk behaviors. CONCLUSION Assessments and interventions aimed at reducing sexual risk behaviors among drug users should focus on hot neurocognitive and psychiatric dimensions of impulsivity, such as decision-making and psychopathy. Cool dimensions of impulsivity such as response inhibition and ADHD were not related to sexual risk behaviors among drug users in protracted abstinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Wilson
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jasmin Vassileva
- Psychiatry, Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
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Maisto SA, Simons JS. Research on the Effects of Alcohol and Sexual Arousal on Sexual Risk in Men who have Sex with Men: Implications for HIV Prevention Interventions. AIDS Behav 2016; 20 Suppl 1:S158-72. [PMID: 26459332 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-015-1220-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this paper was to describe and appraise the research evidence on the effects of acute alcohol intoxication and sexual arousal on sexual risk behaviors in men who have sex with men (MSM) and to examine its implications for design of HIV prevention interventions that target MSM. Toward that end, the paper begins with a discussion of research on sexual arousal in men and alcohol and their acute effects on sexual behaviors. This is followed by a review of empirical evidence on the combined acute effects of alcohol and sexual arousal in heterosexual men (the large majority of studies) and then in MSM. The empirical evidence and related theoretical developments then are integrated to derive implications for developing effective HIV prevention interventions that target MSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Maisto
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA.
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Simons JS, Maisto SA, Wray TB, Emery NN. Acute Effects of Intoxication and Arousal on Approach/Avoidance Biases Toward Sexual Risk Stimuli in Heterosexual Men. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2016; 45:43-51. [PMID: 25808719 PMCID: PMC4583824 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-014-0477-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Revised: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
This study tested the effects of alcohol intoxication and physiological arousal on cognitive biases toward erotic stimuli and condoms. Ninety-seven heterosexual men were randomized to 1 of 6 independent conditions in a 2 (high arousal or control) × 3 (alcohol target BAC = 0.08, placebo, or juice control) design and then completed a variant of the Approach-Avoidance Task (AAT). The AAT assessed reaction times toward approaching and avoiding erotic stimuli and condoms with a joystick. Consistent with hypotheses, the alcohol condition exhibited an approach bias toward erotic stimuli, whereas the control and placebo groups exhibited an approach bias toward condom stimuli. Similarly, the participants in the high arousal condition exhibited an approach bias toward erotic stimuli and the low arousal control condition exhibited an approach bias toward condoms. The results suggest that acute changes in intoxication and physiological arousal independently foster biased responding toward sexual stimuli and these biases are associated with sexual risk intentions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey S Simons
- Department of Psychology, University of South Dakota, 414 East Clark Street, Vermillion, SD, 57069, USA.
| | | | - Tyler B Wray
- Department of Psychology, University of South Dakota, 414 East Clark Street, Vermillion, SD, 57069, USA
- Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Noah N Emery
- Department of Psychology, University of South Dakota, 414 East Clark Street, Vermillion, SD, 57069, USA
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Shono Y, Ames SL, Stacy AW. Evaluation of internal validity using modern test theory: Application to word association. Psychol Assess 2015; 28:194-204. [PMID: 26053001 DOI: 10.1037/pas0000175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Word association tests (WATs) have been widely used to examine associative/semantic memory structures and shown to be relevant to behavior and its underpinnings. Despite successful applications of WATs in diverse research areas, few studies have examined psychometric properties of these tests or other open-ended cognitive tests of common use. Modern test theory models, such as item response theory (IRT) models, are well suited to evaluate interpretations of this class of test. In this evaluation, unidimensional IRT models were fitted to the data on the WAT designed to capture associative memory relevant to an important applied issue: casual sex in a sample of 1,138 adult drug offenders. Using association instructions, participants were instructed to generate the first behavior or action that came to mind in response to cues (e.g., "hotel/motel") that might elicit casual sex-related responses. Results indicate a multitude of evidence for the internal validity of WAT score interpretations. All WAT items measured a single latent trait of casual sex-related associative memory, strongly related to the latent trait, and were invariant across gender, ethnicity, age groups, and sex partner profiles. The WAT was highly informative at average-to-high levels of the latent trait and also associated with risky sex behavior, demonstrating the usefulness of this class of test. The study illustrates the utility of the assessments in this at-risk population as well as the benefits of application of the modern test theory models in the evaluation of internal validity of open-ended cognitive test score interpretation. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Shono
- School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University
| | - Susan L Ames
- School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University
| | - Alan W Stacy
- School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University
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Nydegger LA, Ames SL, Stacy AW, Grenard JL. Response inhibition moderates the association between drug use and risky sexual behavior. Subst Use Misuse 2014; 49:1457-64. [PMID: 24827870 PMCID: PMC4656024 DOI: 10.3109/10826084.2014.912230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV infection is problematic among all drug users, not only injection drug users. Drug users are at risk for contracting HIV by engaging in risky sexual behaviors. OBJECTIVE The present study sought to determine whether inhibitory processes moderate the relationship between problematic drug use and HIV-risk behaviors (unprotected sex and multiple sex partners). METHODS One hundred ninety-six drug offenders enrolled in drug education programs were administered a battery of computer-based assessments. Measures included a cued go/no-go assessment of inhibitory processes, the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) assessment of problematic drug use, and self-report assessment of condom use and multiple sex partners. RESULTS Findings revealed that response inhibition assessed by the proportion of false alarms on the cued go/no-go moderated the relationship between problematic drug use and an important measure of HIV risk (condom nonuse) among drug offenders. However, response inhibition did not moderate the relationship between problematic drug use and another measure of HIV risk: multiple sex partners. CONCLUSIONS Among this sample of drug offenders, we have found a relationship between problematic drug use and condom nonuse, which is exacerbated by poor control of inhibition. These findings have implications for the development of HIV intervention components among high-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesl A Nydegger
- Claremont Graduate University, School of Community & Global Health, Claremont, California, USA
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Majer JM, Rodriguez J, Bloomer C, Jason LA. Predictors of HIV-risk sexual behavior: examining lifetime sexual and physical abuse histories in relation to substance use and psychiatric problem severity among ex-offenders. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc 2014; 20:138-46. [PMID: 24717831 PMCID: PMC4307926 DOI: 10.1177/1078390314527552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lifetime histories of sexual and physical abuse have been associated with increased HIV-risk sexual behavior, and some studies have identified other variables associated with these relationships. However, there is a dearth of literature that has critically examined abuse histories and HIV-risk sexual behavior in relation to these other variables. OBJECTIVES Predictors of HIV-risk sexual behavior were analyzed among a sample of ex-offenders who were completing inpatient substance dependence treatment to identify factors related to increases in HIV-risk sexual behavior beyond that of abuse histories. DESIGN Hierarchical linear regression was conducted to examine sociodemographic characteristics, recent substance use, and current psychiatric problem severity in addition to lifetime histories of sexual/physical abuse in a cross-sectional design. RESULTS Gender, substance use, and psychiatric problem severity predicted increases in HIV-risk sexual behavior beyond what was predicted by abuse histories. Proportionately more women than men reported abuse histories. In addition, significantly more unprotected sexual than safer sexual practices were observed, but differences in these practices based on lifetime abuse histories and gender were not significant. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest recent substance use and current psychiatric problem severity are greater risk factors for HIV-risk sexual behavior than lifetime abuse histories among persons who have substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Majer
- John M. Majer, PhD, Harry S. Truman College, Chicago, IL, USA
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Nydegger LA, Keeler AR, Hood C, Siegel JT, Stacy AW. Effects of a one-hour intervention on condom implementation intentions among drug users in Southern California. AIDS Care 2013; 25:1586-91. [PMID: 23656365 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2013.793271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Approximately 36% of HIV cases are related to substance abuse. Substance abusers, including non-injection drug users, are at a high-risk for contracting HIV due to risky behaviors, including unprotected sex. Due to these behavioral and infection risks, feasible interventions that focus on condom use within this population are imperative. The current study involved the development of brief intervention designed to increase implementation intentions (situation-linked action plans) to use condoms in convicted non-violent drug offenders participating in drug diversion programs in Southern California. Participants (n = 143) were randomized at the individual level to either waitlist control or experimental conditions. The randomized waitlist control group received the HIV survey for the pre-test before the intervention, while the experimental group received a neutral, non-HIV-related, survey at pre-test. The experimental group received the HIV survey as the post-test after the intervention (waitlist control group received the neutral, non-HIV-related, survey). One-tailed Mann Whitney U tests were used to compare the waitlist control and experimental groups. The experimental group was more likely to report stronger implementation intentions to use condoms (p <0.001). These results indicate in the short term that a brief, easily disseminated HIV intervention can be effective for increasing implementation intentions to use condoms in an extremely high HIV-risk population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesl A Nydegger
- a School of Community and Global Health , Claremont Graduate University , Claremont , CA , USA
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