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ParTy ’n’ Play: Associations Between Sex-Related Substance Use and the Disinhibited Externalizing Spectrum Among Gay and Bisexual Men

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: Research suggests sex-related substance use can be conceptualized within the disinhibited externalizing spectrum of psychopathology. However, this research has generally excluded sexual minority samples. The current study examined the associations between the disinhibited externalizing spectrum and several sex-related substance use domains (i.e., heavy drinking as well as poppers [alkyl nitrite], cannabis, cocaine, and methamphetamine use) in a clinical sample (N=254) of sexual minority men. Disinhibited externalizing was significantly associated with reporting sex-related cannabis and methamphetamine use versus not, and with frequency of sex-related alcohol and cocaine use. These results suggest few and generally weak associations—except for methamphetamine use—between the disinhibited externalizing spectrum and sex-related substance use. Implications for the applicability of dimensional models of psychopathology for sexual minority populations; future directions for research on sexual behavior and substance use grounded in the specific sociocultural context in which sexual minority men exist; and transdiagnostic interventions for sex-related substance use are discussed.

Source: Clinical Psychological Science

DOI: 10.1177/21677026231158062

Authors: Craig Rodriguez-Seijas, Brooke G. Rogers, Audrey Harkness, Steve A. Safren, John E. Pachankis

Institutions: University of Michigan, Brown University, Miriam Hospital, University of Miami, Yale University

Language: English

Topic: Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: Gilead Sciences