Integrated Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety and HIV/STI Prevention for Gay and Bisexual Men: A Pilot Intervention Trial.

Integrated Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety and HIV/STI Prevention for Gay and Bisexual Men: A Pilot Intervention Trial. Behav Ther. 2020 May;51(3):503-517 Authors: Hart TA, Noor SW, Vernon JRG, Antony MM, Gardner S, O'Cleirigh C Abstract Given the alarmingly high HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) incidence among gay and bisexual men (GBM) worldwide, there is a critical need for HIV prevention interventions specifically for GBM. Social anxiety, or anxiety about being evaluated in interpersonal situations, is a risk factor for condomless anal sex (CAS) among GBM (e.g., Hart & Heimberg, 2005; Hart, James, Purcell, & Farber, 2008). Social anxiety may also increase substance use in sexual situations, which is another risk factor for HIV/STIs in this risk group (Semple, Strathdee, Zians, McQuaid, & Patterson, 2011). The goal of the Sexual Confidence Study was to provide initial evidence of efficacy for a 10-session integrated cognitive-behavioral therapy for social anxiety, substance use management in sexual situations, and HIV sexual risk reduction for HIV-negative GBM. Diagnostic and self-report assessments were completed at baseline, posttreatment, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up. In this open trial design, we observed a 50% reduction in engagement in HIV/STI sexual risk behavior at 6-month follow-up. We also observed large uncontrolled treatment effect sizes for reductions in social anxie...
Source: Behavior Therapy - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Behav Ther Source Type: research