Alcohol and "Heat of the Moment" Sexual Decision Making
Alcohol and "Heat of the Moment" Sexual Decision Making Among MSM: Identifying Mechanisms of Sexual Risk and Promoting Behavior Change Through Brief Intervention
Who can join
Ages 18 and older · Men · Healthy volunteers welcome
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * At least 18 years of age * Cisgender man who has had condomless anal intercourse with another man in the past 3 months * Engaged in heavy drinking (assessed by either weekly National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism guidelines \[\> 14 for men\], and/or a heavy drinking episode in the past month \[\> 4 drinks on an occasion\]) * Has a smartphone Exclusion Criteria: * HIV-infection * Currently using PrEP * In an exclusive monogamous sexual relationship * History of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, other psychotic disorder, or current suicidal intent * Current treatment for alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder * Unable to provide one or more individuals who can serve as an alternate contact
About the study
HIV transmission remains a significant public health concern, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). Condomless anal intercourse (CAI) continues to be the major route of transmission for MSM. Thus, to reduce the incidence of HIV, it is critical to identify how contextual risk factors influence CAI and develop behavioral strategies that modify risk factors directly or reduce their influence on behavior. This study will examine the mechanisms through which one of the central contextual risk factors, heavy drinking, influences sexual decision processes in the natural environment and test the benefit of a brief intervention designed to reduce sexual risk behavior among those who engage in heavy drinking.
What is being tested
- Self-Regulation Intervention (behavioral)
- Brief Advice and Information (behavioral)
Sponsor: Boston University Charles River Campus · Participants: 354 · Started: Nov 2, 2023
Contact the study team
- Tibor Palfai, PhD · Phone: 6173539345
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT05729256
Locations in the U.S.
| Massachusetts | Boston University Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.