Alcohol Consumption and Risky Sexual Behaviors
Now more than ever, both teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases are at the forefront of social awareness. Because of this, now, more than ever, people should be viewing the effects of alcohol not just in terms of driving, but in terms of risky sexual behaviors as well. One such risky sexual behavior is unprotected sex, a practice that increases the possibility of negative outcomes such as unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (Jones, Jones, Thomas, & Piper, 2003). Research has shown that that there is a statistical correlation between amount of alcohol consumption and the likelihood of having sexual relations with someone whom one normally wouldn't (Leigh & Schafer, 1993). This is a fairly common sense in a populous environment, where one is surrounded by strangers in bars, and there is some sense of anonymity. It is also especially true for people around college age. "Adolescents who have been drinking before sex reported significantly more risky sexual behaviors than those who had not been drinking" (as cited in Corbin and Fromme, 2002). In fact, around 90 percent of college students are sexually active, and many have sexual relationships with more than one person during a given time
Another screening question asked how many times a condom was used during the sexual encounters involving alcohol. A one-tailed t-test was performed and showed a positive correlation between a high score on the AEQ and the number of times alcohol was consumed before sexual intercourse. I plan to use an anonymous survey method to gather data. Since this study was preformed on a college campus all participants were college students. According to Corbin and Fromme (2002) ninety percent of college students are sexually active, and many have multiple, serial sexual relationships. This could show that not only does alcohol increase risky sexual behaviors, but furthermore, the lack of anonymity in a smaller community doesn't decrease these behaviors once alcohol is involved. MethodParticipants Data were collected from 50 undergraduate psychology students at a small liberal arts college consisting of mainly white, middle- and upper-class students. I feel this is the best approach, because in an interview environment, people will likely feel embarrassed when certain questions are asked, perhaps making them less honest. The participants were asked to indicate how often they experience many feelings and beliefs related to alcohol use by marking either agree or disagree on the sheet. DiscussionThe study discussed in the article is consistent with other studies that reported alcohol consumption leads to risky sexual behavior (O'Hare, 2001). Furthermore, those who scored higher on the AEQ were less likely to use condoms during sex. The participants completed the forms with complete confidentiality and remained anonymous. Students completed an anonymous questionnaire that assessed cognitions that related to alcohol consumption.
Common topics in this essay:
Sexual Behavior,
Corbin Fromme,
Christiansen Goldman,
,
Participants Data,
Leigh Schafer,
Thomas Piper,
According Staton,
risky sexual,
sexual intercourse,
alcohol consumption,
risky sexual behaviors,
alcohol sexual,
sexual behaviors,
alcohol sexual intercourse,
related alcohol,
risky sexual behavior,
sexual behavior,
involving alcohol,
condom sexual,
sexually transmitted diseases,
sexual encounters involving,
sexually transmitted,
|
Acceptance Essays
