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Velez-Blasini,
C. J. (in revision). Evidence against alcohol as a proximal cause of sexual
risk taking among college students
Studies
have suggested that drinking leads to promiscuity and sexual risk taking.
This claim, however, has not remained unchallenged and several investigations
have suggested this relationship may be at best limited to a narrow band of
sexual behavior or at worst entirely spurious. Two-hundred-and-forty (166
female) college students completed an on-line survey about two discrete
sexual events: one with intercourse, one without. Within-subjects analyses
yielded no evidence indicating that condom use was less prevalent when
alcohol was consumed regardless of relationship status (casual or romantic
partners). Alcohol was more often consumed during non-coital events. Among
females intercourse events showed higher levels of arousal and perceived
benefits, and lower perceived costs and internal conflict than non-coital
events, suggesting a rather rational decision-making process even when under
the influence. Stable personality and behavioral dimensions (sociosexuality,
impulsivity/sensation-seeking, sociability, and usual drinking) provided a
better explanation for sexual risk-taking than acute alcohol effects.
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