About

Mark A. Celio is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Binghamton University (SUNY) in 2013. His research program focuses on the effects of alcohol on decision making and behavior in sexual situations, particularly among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. His work aims to develop preventative interventions targeting heavy drinking to reduce alcohol-related sexual risk taking and HIV/STI transmission within this underserved population. Dr. Celio is affiliated with the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies (CAAS) and the Alcohol Research Center on HIV (ARCH) at Brown University. His research has contributed to understanding the relationship between alcohol use and risky sexual behaviors, including examining subjective alcohol responses, impulsivity, and behavioral economic decision-making related to alcohol and sexual risk. His work also explores the efficacy of interventions such as personalized normative feedback and video conferencing-based motivational strategies to mitigate alcohol-related sexual risks.

Research topics

• Clinical psychology
• Psychology
• Medicine
• Family medicine
• Developmental psychology
• Environmental health
• Demography
• Psychiatry
• Gerontology
• Statistics

Selected publications

• Cognitive-emotional mechanisms of alcohol intoxication-involved HIV-risk behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM).

  Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology · 2021 · 8 citations

  • Psychology
  • Clinical psychology
  • Developmental psychology

  = 83) were randomly assigned to receive (a) alcohol, (b) placebo, or (c) control beverages before behavioral tasks assessing inhibitory control and attention bias, and a video-based sexual risk scenario that assessed several aspects of sexual decision making. Results showed that inhibitory control and attention bias to sexual cues did not mediate associations between intoxication and CAS intentions. Inhibitory control deficits also did not moderate the indirect effects of intoxication on CAS intentions through attention bias. Three-way interactions between alcohol/placebo condition, inhibitory control, and attention bias were also not significant. Together, these findings provide little evidence that these two processes play a significant role in alcohol-involved HIV risk, at least as assessed by the specific tasks used in this study. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

  PublisherDOI

• Using the Internet to access key populations in ecological momentary assessment research: Comparing adherence, reactivity, and erratic responding across those enrolled remotely versus in-person.

  Psychological Assessment · 2020 · 17 citations

  • Psychology
  • Demography
  • Gerontology

  Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is a set of longitudinal methods that researchers can use to understand complex processes (e.g., health, behavior, emotion) in "high resolution." Although technology has made EMA data collection easier, concerns remain about the consistency and quality of data collected from participants who are enrolled and followed online. In this study, we used EMA data from a larger study on HIV-risk behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM) to explore whether several indicators of data consistency/quality differed across those who elected to enroll in-person and those enrolled online. One hundred MSM (age 18-54) completed a 30-day EMA study. Forty-five of these participants chose to enroll online. There were no statistically significant differences in response rates for any survey type (e.g., daily diary [DD], experience sampling [ES], event-contingent [EC]) across participants who enrolled in-person versus online. DD and ES survey response rates were consistent across the study and did not differ between groups. EC response rates fell sharply across the study, but this pattern was also consistent across groups. Participants' responses on the DD were generally consistent with a poststudy follow-up Timeline Followback (TLFB) with some underreporting on the TLFB, but this pattern was consistent across both groups. In this sample of well-educated, mostly White MSM recruited from urban areas, EMA data collected from participants followed online was as consistent, reliable, and valid as data collected from participants followed in-person. These findings yield important insights about best practices for EMA studies with cautions regarding generalizability. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

  PublisherDOI

• Exploring the Use of Smartphone Geofencing to Study Characteristics of Alcohol Drinking Locations in High‐Risk Gay and Bisexual Men

  Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research · 2019-02-26 · 26 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Geofencing offers new opportunities to study how specific environments affect alcohol use and related behavior. In this study, we examined the feasibility of using geofencing to examine social/environmental factors related to alcohol use and sexual perceptions in a sample of gay and bisexual men (GBM) who engage in heavy drinking and high-risk sex. METHODS: HIV-negative GBM (N = 76) completed ecological momentary assessments for 30 days via a smartphone application and were prompted to complete surveys when inside general geofences set around popular bars and clubs. A subset (N = 45) were also asked to complete surveys when inside personal geofences, which participants set themselves by identifying locations where they typically drank heavily. RESULTS: Approximately 49% of participants received a survey prompted by a general geofence. Among those who identified at least 1 personal drinking location, 62.2% received a personal geofence-prompted survey. Of the 175 total location-based surveys, 40.2% occurred when participants were not at the location that was intended to be captured. Participants reported being most able to openly express themselves at gay bars/clubs and private residences, but these locations were also more "sexualized" than general bars/clubs. Participants did not drink more heavily at gay bars/clubs, but did when in locations with more intoxicated patrons or guests. CONCLUSIONS: Geofencing has the potential to improve the validity of studies exploring environmental influences on drinking. However, the high number of "false-positive" prompts we observed suggests that geofences should be used carefully until improvements in precision are more widely available.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Mechanisms of behavior change in a brief dual-target motivational intervention: Reduction in alcohol use mediates intervention effects on risky sex.

  Psychology of Addictive Behaviors · 2019-04-08 · 9 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  To examine the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of a dual-target motivational intervention (MI) to reduce heavy drinking and risky sex. A priori hypotheses were that: increases in alcohol-related readiness to change (RTC) and self-efficacy would mediate the effect of MI on alcohol use; increases in sex-related RTC and self-efficacy would mediate the effect of MI on risky sex; and reductions in alcohol use would mediate reductions in risky sex. Patients in Emergency Departments who screened positive for heavy drinking and risky sex were randomly assigned to receive MI or brief advice. RTC and self-efficacy were assessed at baseline and immediately postintervention. Alcohol use and sexual behavior was assessed at baseline, 3-, 6-, and 9-month follow up. Single- and serial-mediation models were tested. Patients who received MI had higher postintervention RTC and self-efficacy, but neither mechanism mediated the effects of MI on behavioral outcomes. Reduction in heavy drinking mediated the effect of MI on frequency of sex under the influence (SUI). Further, the effect of MI on condomless sex was mediated by an indirect path in which reductions in heavy drinking at 3 months predicted less SUI at 6 months, which in turn predicted reduction in condomless sex at 9-months. Although some effect of dual-target MI on risky sex is independent of drinking, treatment-related reduction in heavy drinking does account for a significant portion of reduction in risky sex, providing support for the utility of this intervention in patient populations where heavy drinking and risky sex co-occur. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

  PublisherDOI

• Feasibility and acceptability of a motivational intervention combined with text messaging for alcohol and sex risk reduction with emergency department patients: a pilot trial

  Addiction Research & Theory · 2018-02-26 · 10 citations

  article

  BACKGROUND: Interventions aimed at reducing co-occurring heavy drinking and risky sexual behavior among Emergency Department (ED) patients require feasibility and acceptability to optimally engage individuals. OBJECTIVES: This pilot study explored the feasibility and acceptability of an interactive text-messaging (TM) supplement to a brief in-person intervention previously found successful in reducing alcohol use and condomless sex. METHODS: = 20) were randomly assigned to receive either a Motivational Intervention + TM or Brief Advice + TM. All participants completed exit interviews at four weeks follow-up, and transcripts were transcribed and coded to identify themes. We evaluated feasibility through quantitative assessment of TM response rates and latency to response, while acceptability was evaluated through thematic analysis of exit interviews. RESULTS: Findings provide support for the delivery of an integrated and personalized MI and TM. Participants engaged positively with the TM intervention and qualitative interviews offered strong support for the acceptability while offering information necessary to enhance the TM component. CONCLUSIONS: Integrating MI with TM is feasible and acceptable to at-risk ED patients and could facilitate behavior changes beyond MI alone.

  PublisherDOI

• HIV-related thought avoidance, sexual risk, and alcohol use among men who have sex with men

  AIDS Care · 2018-01-16 · 4 citations

  article

  HIV-related "cognitive escape" refers to a tendency to avoid thoughts associated with HIV, which may be particularly common among men who have sex with men (MSM) who are often inundated with HIV information, potentially to the point of fatigue. HIV-related cognitive escape is associated with increased sexual risk behaviors, such as condomless sex, and heavier alcohol use patterns. Other studies show that some MSM may use alcohol specifically to facilitate sex. These sexual motives for drinking (SMDs) could be one mechanism whereby cognitive escape leads to health risk behaviors. In this study, we tested models exploring whether cognitive escape was associated with markers of sex risk (condom use, number of sex partners) and alcohol use/problems, and examined whether SMDs mediated these associations. Heavy drinking, HIV-negative men (N = 196) aged ≥ 21 years who self-reported past year condomless anal sex with men completed assessments as part of a larger study. Results suggest that cognitive escape was associated with higher number of anal sex partners (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.50, SE = 0.04, p < .001), decreased condom use (B = -0.30, SE = 0.14, p = .028), and increased alcohol-related problems (IRR = 1.28, SE = 0.07, p = .001) but not with drinking quantity. Sexual motives for drinking appeared to partially mediate the observed relationship between cognitive escape and alcohol-related problems, but other relationships did not show evidence of mediation. Findings suggest that those who tend to avoid HIV-related thoughts may be at increased risk for HIV and alcohol-related problems. Drinking to facilitate sex may partially account for the higher risk for alcohol-related problems conferred by cognitive escape. Alcohol interventions for MSM may be more effective if they address alcohol's role in coping with HIV threat and in facilitating sex under these circumstances.

  PublisherDOI

• Timeline: A web application for assessing the timing and details of health behaviors

  The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse · 2018-05-14 · 18 citations

  article

  BACKGROUND: Timeline Followback (TLFB) interview methods are used to assess a variety of health behaviors, including alcohol use, drug use, and sexual behavior. While several online TLFBs have been developed, most focus on single behaviors, and few studies have explored their validity in assessing multiple risk behaviors using a single online TLFB. OBJECTIVE: To examine the validity of a customizable web application (Timeline) for assessing alcohol use, drug use, and sexual behavior among high-risk men who have sex with men. METHODS: Participants (N = 15 men) completed standardized survey instruments before undergoing a 30-day daily diary procedure where they submitted daily reports of health risk behaviors via smartphone. They then completed a Timeline at the end of the 30-day period covering the same time interval. RESULTS: Comparing a baseline administration of Timeline with popular surveys of health risk behaviors supported Timeline's validity (r = 0.41-0.59 for alcohol use, r = 0.83 for drug use, and r = 0.34-0.52) for sexual behaviors. While participants reported similar amounts of each behavior via daily diary as they did on a follow-up Timeline (r = 0.55-0.88 for alcohol use, r = 0.69 for drug use, and r = 0.87-0.92 for sexual behaviors), results provided evidence of underreporting on the Timeline. Timing of behaviors also frequently disagreed across these methods. CONCLUSIONS: Timeline is valid for assessing overall engagement in alcohol use, drug use, and sexual behavior over a 30-day window. However, researchers interested in the specific timing of behaviors within assessment intervals should use smaller follow-up intervals (e.g., 7 days, 14 days) or more intensive reporting methods (e.g., daily diary).

  PublisherDOI

• Causal Effects of Alcohol Intoxication on Sexual Risk Intentions and Condom Negotiation Skills Among High-Risk Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)

  AIDS and Behavior · 2018-08-07 · 30 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Using video conferencing to deliver a brief motivational intervention for alcohol and sex risk to emergency department patients: a proof-of-concept pilot study

  Addiction Research & Theory · 2017-01-18 · 14 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Brief motivational intervention (MI) is an efficacious approach to reduce heavy drinking and associated sexual risk behavior among patients in Emergency Department (ED) settings, but the intensity of demands placed on ED staff makes the implementation of in-person MIs logistically challenging. This proof-of-concept pilot study examined the acceptability and logistic feasibility of using video-conferencing technology to deliver an MI targeting heavy drinking and risky sexual behavior to patients in an ED setting. Rigorous screening procedures were employed to ensure that the pilot sample represents the target portion of patients in the ED who would benefit from this multi-target MI. Mixed qualitative and quantitative data from a sample of seven patients in ED (57% Female; Mage = 35 years) who received MI by video conference consistently demonstrated high levels of satisfaction, engagement, and acceptability. The observed completion rate supports logistic feasibility, and feedback by patient identified methods to improve the experience by using high-definition hardware, ensuring stronger network connectivity, and effectively communicating information regarding protection of privacy. Post-intervention patient ratings and independent ratings of the audio-recorded sessions (using the Motivational Interviewing Skills Coding system) were very high, suggesting that intervention fidelity and MI adherence was not compromised by delivery modality. Collectively, these data suggest video conferencing is a viable technology that can be employed to implement brief evidence-based MIs in ED settings.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The Effects of Condom Availability on College Women’s Sexual Discounting

  Archives of Sexual Behavior · 2017-09-14 · 14 citations

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Peter M. Monti

  44 shared

• Nadine R. Mastroleo

  Binghamton University

  26 shared

• Tyler B. Wray

  26 shared

• Nancy P. Barnett

  John Brown University

  26 shared

• Ashley E. Pérez

  Case Western Reserve University

  22 shared

• Don Operario

  Emory University

  22 shared

• Suzanne M. Colby

  Providence College

  22 shared

• Christopher W. Kahler

  Brown University

  22 shared

Education

• Ph.D., Clinical Psychology

  Binghamton University (SUNY)

  2013