(Safe) sex on my mind: the effects of a safe sex prime and an alcohol prime on sex-related perceptions and behavior

Johnson, Henry Lee ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0860-0217, Albery, Ian, Frings, Daniel and Moss, Antony (2022) (Safe) sex on my mind: the effects of a safe sex prime and an alcohol prime on sex-related perceptions and behavior. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 83 (3). 439 -449. ISSN 1937-1888

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Abstract

Objective:
Previous research suggests that exposure to alcohol primes (i.e., stimuli associated with alcohol) affects drinkers’ perceptions and behaviors. The present study investigated the effects of an environmental alcohol prime (being in a simulated bar setting) and a safe sex message prime (a public health safe sex message) on sexually active alcohol drinkers.

Method:
Participants (n = 80) were assigned to one of four conditions according to priming allocation and engaged in a simulated video chat with a potential partner. They reported their sex-related self-perceptions and perceptions of a potential partner upon procedural completion.

Results:
The alcohol-related environmental prime led participants to rate their potential partner as being significantly less inhibited and more sexual. The safe sex message significantly reduced reported sex-related self-perceptions and perceptions of their partners’ disinhibition. There was a significant effect of primes on participants’ perceptions of their partner's friendliness—participants exposed to either or both prime(s) perceived their partner as being friendlier than participants exposed to no prime.

Conclusions:
Results suggest that environmental alcohol primes may strengthen sexually active drinkers’ perceptions of a potential partner's disinhibition and sexuality even before alcohol consumption begins, and that a safe sex message may moderate these effects. The presence of safe sex messages in alcohol-related environments may positively influence sexual risk decision making among sexually active drinkers.

Item Type: Article
Identifier: 10.15288/jsad.2022.83.439
Additional Information: Experimental research utilising a lab bar facility to test participants' perceptions and reactions to a potential partner and potential for sexual risk taking and STIs etc. Includes use of alcohol prime and safe sex prime. Johnson, H.L., Albery, I.P., Frings, D., Moss, A.C., 2022. (Safe) Sex on My Mind: The Effects of a Safe Sex Prime and an Alcohol Prime on Sex-Related Perceptions and Behavior. J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs 83, 439–449. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsad.2022.83.439
Keywords: Alcohol, Primes, Safe Sex, Experiment, Sexual Risk.
Subjects: Psychology > Substance abuse/misuse
Psychology
Related URLs:
Depositing User: Henry Lee Johnson
Date Deposited: 14 Apr 2022 14:54
Last Modified: 06 Feb 2024 16:10
URI: https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/8957

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