THE RELATIONSHIP OF ALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION AS A SEXUAL DISINHIBITOR TO HIGH-RISK SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR - GENDER DIFFERENCES

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of alcohol consumption as a sexual disinhibitor to high-risk sexual behavior amo ng college students attending an urban university in the south. Questi onnaires were completed by 489 college freshman enrolled in a Human Se xuality class offered through the Psychology Department. Sexual behavi ors occurring after a person had ''let themselves drink more than norm al in order to make it easier for them to have sex with someone'' were assessed. Of the respondents, 27% of those with one or more sexual pa rtners in tile past year had let themselves drink more than normal at least once ill tire past year in order to make it easier for them to h ave sex. Of those times, 37% of the experiences were with people that they had just met or who were acquaintances. There were significant ge nder differences in relation to letting one's self drink too much to h ave sex and the use of protective barriers during sexual activity. The results are discussed in relation to preventing the spread of HIV dis ease.