Alcohol intoxication and self-reported risky sexual behaviour intentions with highly attractive strangers in naturalistic settings

The influence of groups and alcohol consumption on individual risk-taking

“…To this end, the research findings have largely supported the notion that there is a focal narrowing towards environmental cues which influences sexual decisions (Lyvers et al, 2009(Lyvers et al, , 2011A. B. Morris & Albery, 2001;Prause, Staley, & Finn, 2011).…”

“…Indeed, there are a variety of behaviours which have the possibility of resulting in negative consequences that appear to become more prevalent following alcohol consumption (Lane et al, 2004). These include risky choices when driving (Burian, Hensberry, & Liguori, 2003;Fillmore, Blackburn, & Harrison, 2008;Laude & Fillmore, 2016), gambling (Bidwell et al, 2013;Lyvers, Mathieson, & Edwards, 2015), and in sexual situations such as unprotected sex (Claxton, DeLuca, & van Dulmen, 2015;Lyvers, Cholakians, Puorro, & Sundram, 2011;Scott-Sheldon et al, 2016). In order to better understand the nature of the association between alcohol consumption and risk taking, it is therefore beneficial to consider separately the different domains of risk typically measured in research.…”

“…It is suggested that the link between alcohol and the contraction of STDs is due (at least in part) to alcohol-related increases in risky decision making while in sexual situations, such as engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse (Rehm et al, 2012;Scott-Sheldon et al, 2016). Indeed, the link between intoxication and sexual risk-taking is well established in experimental research which measures intentions to engage in risky sexual situations (George et al, 2009;Lyvers et al, 2011;A. B. Morris & Albery, 2001;Rehm et al, 2012).…”

“…To further protect against this, an ethically defined upper breath alcohol concentration limit of .79mg/l was used, consistent with previous research (c.f., Lyvers et al, 2011).…”

“…To address such shortcoming, there have been attempts to complement knowledge gained from controlled laboratory studies, through experimental field work providing higher external validity (G. W. Harrison & List, 2004;Proestakis et al, 2013). However, those who have explored the relationship between alcohol and risky behaviour in real drinking environments have revealed varied findings (e.g., Hopthrow et al, 2014;Lyvers et al, 2011;Lyvers et al, 2015;Proestakis et al, 2013), which at times show inconsistencies with laboratory based work (Burian et al, 2002;Lane et al, 2004).…”