The relation of methamphetamine abuse and HIV infection to social cognition (Reading the Mind in the Eyes Task and Faux Pas Recognition Task) was examined in men who have sex with men (N = 56): Of the methamphetamine users (n = 29), 19 were identified as HIV positive, and of the nonusers (n = 27), 13 were identified as HIV positive. Both methamphetamine use and HIV were associated with impaired performance on the Eyes Task (p < .05). Methamphetamine use was also associated with impaired performance on the Faux Pas Task (p < .05). These results link impaired social cognition to methamphetamine abuse and HIV infection.
Keywords: HIV infection; drug effects; drugs; males; social cognitions.