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The influence of executive functions, sensation seeking, and HIV serostatus on the risky sexual practices of substance-dependent individuals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 April 2005

RAUL GONZALEZ ,
JASMIN VASSILEVA ,
ANTOINE BECHARA ,
SILVANA GRBESIC ,
LISA SWOROWSKI ,
RICHARD M. NOVAK ,
GERALD NUNNALLY  and
EILEEN M. MARTIN
RAUL GONZALEZ
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois
JASMIN VASSILEVA
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois
ANTOINE BECHARA
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
SILVANA GRBESIC
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois
LISA SWOROWSKI
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois
RICHARD M. NOVAK
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois
GERALD NUNNALLY
Affiliation:
Jesse Brown Veterans Association Healthcare System—West Side Division, Chicago, Illinois
EILEEN M. MARTIN
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois Jesse Brown Veterans Association Healthcare System—West Side Division, Chicago, Illinois
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Abstract

From a public health standpoint, identifying factors that contribute to risky sexual practices among substance-dependent individuals is critical, particularly in the context of HIV infection. This study examines the respective contributions of executive neurocognitive functions, sensation seeking, and HIV serostatus in predicting risky sexual practices among poly-substance users (with a history of dependence primarily for cocaine or cocaine/heroin). HIV+ (n = 109) and HIV− (n = 154) substance-dependent individuals were assessed using three neurocognitive tasks of executive functions: Stroop reaction time, delayed non-matching to sample, and the Iowa Gambling Task. Sensation seeking was assessed using the Sensation Seeking Scale–V. Greater sensation seeking was associated with more risky sexual practices among HIV+ participants, particularly among those who performed best on the Iowa Gambling Task. Our findings indicate that continued risk behavior among HIV+ drug users may be driven by sensation seeking (a personality trait common among drug users); however, the impact of executive functions is less clear. (JINS, 2005, 11, 121–131.)

Keywords

ImpulsivityHIVSubstance dependenceAddictionExecutive functions
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 11 , Issue 2 , March 2005 , pp. 121 - 131
Copyright
© 2005 The International Neuropsychological Society

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