On the Comparison of Impulsivity between HIV Positive Persons, Drug-Dependent Persons, and Healthy Counterparts

This study was an attempt to compare impulsive decision-making between AIDS sufferers, people suffering substance abuse, and nonclinical populations. This was a causal-comparative study which was conducted within the six months of 2011. In this study, 30 AIDS sufferers, 30 drug abusers, and 30 healthy subjects from nonclinical population in the 15-67 age range were selected through convenience sampling. The selected participants were matched in terms of age, education, and gender. Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (1997) were administered to the three groups. The results showed that there was a significant difference among the three groups in impulsivity subscales. The results showed that there existed some degree of deficiency in decision-making processes in AIDS sufferers and drug dependent persons. It may be rooted in a number of personality traits; neurological damage; drug use; the insufficiency of appropriate training in life skills, problem-solving, and decision-making; the availability of emotions at paly; and personal and cultural thoughts and beliefs around protective behaviors in sexual relationships.