DOI: 10.5176/2251-1865_CBP15.53
Authors: Ramani Durvasula and Pamela Regan
Abstract:
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is most commonly transmitted via sexual contact. Existing literature has described numerous behavioral and psychosocial predictors of sexual risk behaviors. The present study examines the associations between a wide variety of personality variables and sexual risk behaviors. Because gay men are the population with the highest prevalence of HIV in the US, this study focused on a sample of 107 HIV+ currently sexually active gay and bisexual men. Personality was assessed multidimensionally using the MCMI-III, Personality Assessment Screener (PAS), NEO-PI-R, Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS), and a structured clinical interview to assess personality disorders (SCID-II). Sexual risk was assessed by examining 30 day condom use, the presence of multiple partners during the prior 30-day period, and a risk index which examined risky sexual contexts during the prior 30 days. Results revealed that a greater proportion of men with a Cluster B personality disorder (PD) diagnosis (e.g. borderline, narcissistic, antisocial or histrionic PD) reported having 2 or more sexual partners during the prior 30 days compared to those without a Cluster B PD. Higher scores (greater symptomatology) on the MCMI-III Narcissistic and Compulsive scales, and on the PAS health problems, psychotic features, and hostile control scales were observed in men who reported consistent condom use (less risk) during the previous 30 days (p < .05). Correlational analyses revealed positive associations between risky sexual contexts and numerous personality measures (MCMI III; Dependent, Depressive, Self-defeating Antisocial, Aggressive/Sadistic, Borderline) (PAS: Negative Affect, Acting Out, Alcohol Problems and Overall Score) and a negative association with the Thrill and Adventure Seeking subscale of the SSS and with the Conscientiousness Scale of the NEO (and with the compulsivity, achievement striving, self discipline, and deliberation subscales) (p’s < .05). As expected, personality disorders and personality variables were associated with sexual risk in varying ways. While personality dynamics are often not a viable target for intervention or population level prevention programs, recognition of certain personality symptoms and patterns may allow for better focusing of interventions on specific types of risk behaviors in clinical settings.
Keywords: HIV, personality, personality disorder, sexual risk
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