SEXUAL SELF-CONTROL AS A MEDIATOR OF HIGH-RISK SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR IN A NEW-YORK-CITY COHORT OF HIV-POSITIVE AND HIV-NEGATIVE GAY MEN

This paper describes the development of the Perceived Sexual Control inventory (PSC) and a study investigating the relationship between an individual's perception of control over sexual behavior and actual sexual risk behavior in a New York City cohort of 108 HIV+ and 48 HIV- gay men. Correlational analysis indicated that reported difficulty controlling sexual behavior was associated with having more male sex partners and sex occasions over lifetime and in the 6 months prior to interview, with a greater number of one-time partners and out-of-home partners, with less monogamy, and with being abstinent in the prior 6 months. Those who perceived difficulty with sexual control were significantly more likely to use cocaine or amyl nitrate (poppers) during sex, to do so on more occasions and to use more drugs overall. Additionally, perceptions of sexual control were found to relate to high risk sexual practices. Those lower in perceived sexual control reported more occasions of receiving anal ejaculation than those who reported greater sexual control. Two subscales (Perceived Control Over Sex Drive and Perceived Control Over Risk Behavior), derived via factor analysis from the 20-item inventory used to assess perceived sexual control, were also examined in relation to the above variables, and differential findings are discussed. The overall pattern of findings supports the construct validity of the PSC.