Does Fertility Status Influence Impulsivity and Risk Taking in Human Females? Adaptive Influences on Intertemporal Choice and Risky Decision Making

Informed by the research on adaptive decision making in other animal species, this study investigated human females’ intertemporal and risky choices across the ovulatory cycle. We tested the hypothesis that at peak fertility, women who are exposed to environments that signal availability of higher quality mates (by viewing images of attractive males), become more impulsive and risk-seeking in economic decision tasks. To test this, we collected intertemporal and risky choice measures before and after exposure to images of either attractive males or neutral landscapes both at peak and low fertility conditions. The results showed an interaction between women’s fertility status and image type, such that women at peak fertility viewing images of attractive men chose the smaller, sooner monetary reward option less than women at peak fertility viewing neutral images. Neither fertility status nor image type influenced risky choice. Thus, though exposure to images of men altered intertemporal choices at peak fertility, this occurred in the opposite direction than predicted—i.e., women at peak fertility became less impulsive. Nevertheless, the results of the current study provide evidence for shifts in preferences over the ovulatory cycle and opens future research on economic decision making

Does Fertility Status Influence Impulsivity and Risk Taking in Human Females? Adaptive Influences on Intertemporal Choice and Risky Decision Making

Informed by the research on adaptive decision making in other animal species, this study investigated human females’ intertemporal and risky choices across the ovulatory cycle. We tested the hypothesis that at peak fertility, women who are exposed to environments that signal availability of higher quality mates (by viewing images of attractive males), become more impulsive and risk-seeking in economic decision tasks. To test this, we collected intertemporal and risky choice measures before and after exposure to images of either attractive males or neutral landscapes both at peak and low fertility conditions. The results showed an interaction between women’s fertility status and image type, such that women at peak fertility viewing images of attractive men chose the smaller, sooner monetary reward option less than women at peak fertility viewing neutral images. Neither fertility status nor image type influenced risky choice. Thus, though exposure to images of men altered intertemporal choices at peak fertility, this occurred in the opposite direction than predicted—i.e., women at peak fertility became less impulsive. Nevertheless, the results of the current study provide evidence for shifts in preferences over the ovulatory cycle and opens future research on economic decision making

Associations Between Alcohol Use and Intimate Partner Violence Among Men Who Have Sex with Men

Purpose: Intimate partner violence (IPV) research among men who have sex with men (MSM) has primarily focused on the prevalence of IPV victimization and perpetration. Although alcohol use is a known trigger of IPV in opposite sex relationships, less is known about alcohol use and IPV perpetration and victimization in same-sex couples. The aim of this study was to examine associations between alcohol use and different types of IPV victimization and perpetration among MSM. Methods: MSM in New York City were recruited at gay-friendly venues and events to participate in an online survey assessing sociodemographics, alcohol use, and victimization/perpetration of IPV with both regular and casual sex partners. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between alcohol use and different types of IPV victimization and perpetration. Results: Among 189 participants, 103 (54.5%) reported experiencing at least one incidence of IPV perpetrated by a regular partner and 92 (48.7%) reported having perpetrated IPV against a regular partner in the past 12 months. Higher levels of alcohol use were significantly associated with (1) physical/sexual and HIV-related IPV victimization by a regular partner, (2) physical/sexual, monitoring, and controlling IPV victimization by a casual partner, (3) physical/sexual, emotional, controlling, and HIV-related IPV perpetration against a regular partner, and (4) physical/sexual and emotional IPV perpetration against a casual partner. Conclusions: The association of high levels of alcohol use with different types of IPV perpetration and IPV victimization suggests a need for targeted services that address the co-occurring issues of alcohol use and IPV.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140163/1/lgbt.2016.0057.pd

Sexual violence experiences among black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and transgender women in South African townships : contributing factors and implications for health

This study examined experiences with sexual violence among black African gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and transgender women in townships surrounding Pretoria, South Africa. Of 81 gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and transgender women interviewed, 17 reported to have experienced sexual violence perpetrated by other men. Qualitative analysis of interviews revealed the social and relational contexts of these experiences as well as their psychological and health consequences. The described context included single- and multiple-perpetrator attacks in private and public spaces, bias-motivated attacks, and violence from known partners. Several participants reported refusing propositions for sex as a reason for being victimized. HIV-positive individuals were overrepresented among survivors compared with the sample as a whole. Following victimization, participants described feelings of pain, fear, anger, and self-blame. The results demonstrate the need for interventions designed to (a) prevent sexual violence against gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and transgender women in this population, and (b) reduce the negative psychological and health outcomes of sexual victimization. The discussion also highlights the need to examine more closely the link between experiences of sexual violence and the risk for HIV infection.An NIMH Grant (R01 MH083557; PI: Theo Sandfort, PhD) and an NIMH center Grant (P30 MH43520; PI: Robert Remien, PhD). Dr Kaighobadi was supported by an NIMH training Grant (T32 MH19139, Behavioral Sciences Research in HIV Infection; PI: Theo Sandfort, PhD).http://journals.sagepub.com/home/saphj2019Psycholog

Data from: Does fertility status influence impulsivity and risk taking in human females? Adaptive influences on intertemporal choice and risky decision making

Informed by the research on adaptive decision making in other animal species, this study investigated human females’ intertemporal and risky choices across the ovulatory cycle. We tested the hypothesis that at peak fertility, women who are exposed to environments that signal availability of higher quality mates (by viewing images of attractive males), become more impulsive and risk-seeking in economic decision tasks. To test this, we collected intertemporal and risky choice measures before and after exposure to images of either attractive males or neutral landscapes both at peak and low fertility conditions. The results showed an interaction between women’s fertility status and image type, such that women at peak fertility viewing images of attractive men chose the smaller, sooner monetary reward option less than women at peak fertility viewing neutral images. Neither fertility status nor image type influenced risky choice. Thus, though exposure to images of men altered intertemporal choices at peak fertility, this occurred in the opposite direction than predicted—i.e., women at peak fertility became less impulsive. Nevertheless, the results of the current study provide evidence for shifts in preferences over the ovulatory cycle and opens future research on economic decision making

Brief report: A health belief model approach to men’s assessment of a novel long-acting contraceptive

We investigated predictors of men’s attitudes towards and intent to use VasalgelTM, a long-acting reversible male contraceptive under development. The health belief model (HBM), with additional constructs of interpersonal factors and social norms, provided the framework. Heterosexual men (N = 146) living in Upstate New York (age: M = 24, range = 18–48) completed a survey assessing attitudes, intent, and other psychosocial characteristics. Overall men had positive attitudes towards VasalgelTM, and reported intent to use. The HBM predicted attitudes towards and intent to use VasalgelTM, and including perceived norms and interpersonal factors significantly improved the model for intent to use but not attitudes. Results indicate positive response to VasalgelTM and the utility of theory-based models