Sensation seeking and impulsivity in high-risk sexual behaviors among international travelers

• In Event: 4467 - Section on Social Psychology Refereed Roundtables (Cosponsored with Section on Sociology of Emotions)
  In Refereed Roundtable 100min: Table 4: Context and Self

Abstract

International travel helps promote a country’s growth and development. Using lists of international travelers from the travel industry, 117 frequent international travelers were recruited from two U.S. metropolitan cities, Houston and El Paso to complete an anonymous online survey that investigates the associations between sensation seeking, impulsivity, and international travelers’ engagement in high-risk sexual behaviors while abroad. Frequent international travelers were operationalized as travelers who had traveled abroad at least twice within the previous 2 years through various modes of transport (air, road, or water). In sum, this study found that high-risk and non-high-risk international travelers were statistically significantly different with high-risk international travelers having a higher tendency for sensation seeking and impulsivity traits. Additionally, they had a greater number of lifetime sexual partners. With respect to their socio-demographic characteristics, high-risk international travelers were more likely to be male, younger, have a non-married or in a committed relationship, and had lower educational attainment. This study is in support of previous research findings that postulate that sensation seeking and impulsive behaviors are associated with the practice of high-risk sexual behaviors. Findings from this study may be used to promote more translational research and sexual health programs for frequent international travelers.

Author

• Yok Fong Paat, University of Texas at El Paso