Performance-Enhancing Substance Use and Sexual Risk Behaviors among U.S. Men: Results from a Prospective Cohort Study

Citation

Ganson, K. T.; Jackson, D. B.; Testa, A.; Murnane, P. M.; & Nagata, J. M. (2021). Performance-Enhancing Substance Use and Sexual Risk Behaviors among U.S. Men: Results from a Prospective Cohort Study. Journal of Sex Research. , PMCID: PMC9163206

Abstract

Performance-enhancing substance (PES) use is common among young men and prior research has documented cross-sectional associations between anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use and sexual risk behaviors. However, this relationship remains understudied among a longitudinal cohort of young adult men, and research on prospective associations between legal PES (e.g., creatine) use and sexual risk behaviors is lacking. The current study addressed these oversights using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 5,451). AAS use and legal PES use were assessed at Wave III (ages 18–26) and 10 indicators of sexual risk behavior were assessed at seven-year follow up (Wave IV; ages 24–32). Linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted adjusting for demographic and behavioral confounders. Participants who reported AAS use and legal PES use had significantly higher number of one-time sexual partners and higher odds of multiple sex partners around the same time in the past 12 months. Participants who reported AAS use had higher odds of any STI in the past 12 months. These results extend prior research on the risk behaviors and adverse effects of PES use. Health care professionals should assess for PES use among young adult men and provide guidance on healthful sexual behaviors. © 2021 The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality.

URL

https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2021.2012114

Keyword(s)

Substance use

Notes

Export Date: 21 December 2021

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Journal of Sex Research

Author(s)

Ganson, K. T.
Jackson, D. B.
Testa, A.
Murnane, P. M.
Nagata, J. M.

Year Published

2021

Edition

December 03, 2021

DOI

10.1080/00224499.2021.2012114

PMCID

PMC9163206

NIHMSID

NIHMS1766998

Reference ID

9480