Coping patterns moderate the association between negative affect and potential proxies for hypersexual behavior in...

Stimulant-using men who have sex with men (MSM) experience mental and sexual health challenges, which may be partially influenced by individual coping patterns (i.e., problem-focused, emotion-focused, dysfunctional). In the current analysis, we examined the frequency of certain coping patterns as a moderator of the association between negative affect and hypersexual behavior among stimulant-using MSM METHODS: Baseline data from a sample of MSM who participated in a randomized control trial focused on stimulant use and sex were analyzed. Multiple regression models examined associations between negative affect and two proxies of hypersexuality (controlling for stimulant-use frequency): (1) sexual compulsivity and (2) meeting diagnostic criteria for a proposed DSM-5 hypersexual disorder. Patterns of coping moderators were also evaluated across regression models.

A total of 206 MSM were included in this analysis, with most identifying as gay and as non-Hispanic/Latino White. They had a mean age of 39.6 years. Negative affect was significantly associated with sexual compulsivity (B=0.40, p < 0.001) and with positive screening for the proposed DSM-5 hypersexual disorder (RR=1.93, p < 0.01). Problem-focused and emotion-focused coping patterns significantly moderate the relations between negative affect and sexual compulsivity, such that higher frequency of these coping patterns buffered the association between negative affect and sexual compulsivity, while lower frequency did not. There was no significant moderation of dysfunctional coping patterns on either hypersexuality outcome.

Negative affect and problem-focused and emotion-focused coping patterns may be important variables influencing hypersexual behavior among stimulant-using MSM, with each potentially being modifiable in terms of cognitive and behavioral intervention approaches.