Associations between young adult men's patterns of alcohol use and sexual behavior: A latent profile analysis of two independent samples

• Published in: Addictive behaviors Vol. 90; pp. 20 - 26
• Main Authors: Helmers, Breanne R., Jacques-Tiura, Angela J., Abbey, Antonia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2019; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Adult men; Alcohol consumption; Alcohol Drinking; Alcohol use; Attitude; Between-subjects design; Casual sex; Data processing; Drinking behavior; Drinking profiles; Humans; Independent sample; Latent Class Analysis; Latent profile analysis; Male; Men; Midwestern United States - epidemiology; Patient-centered care; Sex; Sexual behavior; Sexual Behavior - psychology; Sexual Partners - psychology; Unsafe Sex; Young Adult; Young adults; Midwestern United States; Alcohol consumption; Latent profile analysis; Drinking profiles; Adult men; Casual sex
• ISSN: 0306-4603; 1873-6327; 1873-6327
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.10.005

Men's alcohol consumption and casual sexual behavior peak in early adulthood. Although there is a strong positive association between these behaviors, most studies have utilized a between-subjects approach rather than a person-centered approach to assess this relationship. A person-centered approach allows for an examination of subgroups of drinkers that may differ in their casual sexual behaviors. To address this gap, secondary data analyses were conducted with two independent samples totaling 906 men between the ages of 18 and 29 from the Midwestern United States. In both studies, participants reported their alcohol expectancies and consumption, sexual behaviors, and sexual attitudes. Multiple group latent profile similarity analyses were conducted using the alcohol-related variables. Four similar profiles emerged in both samples; thus, the data were combined. Casual sex-related variables were then examined in relation to the profiles. The two lighter drinking groups differed from one another in their alcohol consumption and sexual attitudes; however, they did not differ in their alcohol expectancies or number of sex partners. The two heavier drinking groups differed from one another in their liquid courage expectancies, alcohol consumption, one-time-only partners, and sexual attitudes; however, they did not differ from each other in their sex-drive expectancies or lifetime partners. Person-centered approaches can be used to develop more tailored interventions, particularly for those at greater risk for the negative health consequences of engaging in sexual behavior with multiple one-time-only partners. •Drinking profiles were replicated in two independent samples of young adult men.•Four drinking profiles emerged based on alcohol consumption and expectancies.•The heaviest drinking profile had the strongest liquid courage expectancies.•Occasional and light drinkers differed in sexual attitudes, not lifetime partners.•Moderate and heavier drinkers differed in one-time partners and sexual attitudes.