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The Psychological Context of Sexual Compulsivity Among Men Who Have Sex with Men

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Abstract

Among men who have sex with men (MSM), sexual compulsivity is associated with overlapping psychosocial and behavioral health problems. Because difficulties with emotion regulation are thought to be one important feature, this study examined whether affective states and traumatic stress symptoms were independently associated with key dimensions of sexual compulsivity. Data were collected in San Francisco for the Urban Men’s Health Study-2002 from May 24, 2002 to January 19, 2003. In total, 711 MSM recruited via probability-based sampling completed a mail-in questionnaire that assessed psychological factors and substance use. Dissociation related to traumatic stress and any stimulant use in the past 6 months were independently associated with more frequent sexual thoughts or urges. Increased anger and HIV-positive serostatus were independently associated with a greater perception that sexual behavior is difficult to control. Clinical research is needed to examine if interventions targeting emotion regulation and traumatic stress can boost the effectiveness of HIV prevention efforts among MSM who experience difficulties related to managing sexual behaviors.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychologist in private practice, Brooklyn, New York, USA

    Roy C. Jerome

  2. Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA

    William J. Woods & Adam W. Carrico

  3. Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA

    Judith T. Moskowitz

  4. School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco, 2 Koret Way, N511 M, San Francisco, CA, 94143-0608, USA

    Adam W. Carrico

Authors
  1. Roy C. Jerome
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  2. William J. Woods
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  3. Judith T. Moskowitz
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  4. Adam W. Carrico
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Correspondence to Adam W. Carrico.

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Jerome, R.C., Woods, W.J., Moskowitz, J.T. et al. The Psychological Context of Sexual Compulsivity Among Men Who Have Sex with Men. AIDS Behav 20, 273–280 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-015-1083-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-015-1083-1

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