Relationship between drug use and sexual assertiveness in a Spanish male drug-dependent sample

Abstract

Current studies assessing sexual assertiveness in drug users are sparse, despite the fact that it would be logical to expect low sexual assertiveness in such patients. Present study had the objective to compare sexual assertiveness between consumers of alcohol, cocaine, cocaine+alcohol, heroin, cannabis, and speedball and a control group. This was assessed in a sample of 556 male drug users from 8 Spanish provinces and 356 non-user males. Results showed significantly lower Initiation assertiveness in the 35-49 year-old age group (particularly in the case of alcohol, heroin, cannabis, and speedball) and worse Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Pregnancy prevention assertiveness in drug users (in the case of alcohol, cocaine, cocaine+alcohol, cannabis, and speedball). Effect sizes ranged from low to moderate. The implications of these results are discussed.