Sexual Partner Typologies Among Single Young Men Who Have Sex with Men

AIDS Behav. 2015 Jun;19(6):1116-28. doi: 10.1007/s10461-014-0932-7.

Abstract

Using data from a sample of single young men who have sex with men (N = 1,359, ages 18-24, 65 % White, 93 % gay), we examined whether the number of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) partners with differed across relationship typologies (e.g., friends with benefits, hookups, romantic interests). We then examined how safer sex self-efficacy, decisional balance to forego condoms, ideal relationship attributes (i.e., intimacy, passion and commitment), and limerence were associated with UAI. Different partner types were associated with greater UAI partners; single partner types were associated with fewer UAI partners, irrespective of how they were categorized. UAI partners was associated with decisional balance (OR = 1.89, p < 0.001), passion ideation (OR = 1.38, p < 0.001), and difficulty negotiating safer sex with romantic partners (OR = 1.16, p < 0.001). Odds of UAI partners decreased with higher scores of commitment ideation (OR = 0.91, p < 0.05) and difficulty negotiating safer sex with casual partners (OR = 0.96, p < 0.05). We discuss the importance of acknowledging how different sexual partnerships, alongside its motivational correlates, influence UAI risk in order to inform HIV-prevention interventions.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Condoms / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • Homosexuality, Male*
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Love
  • Male
  • Negotiating
  • Risk-Taking
  • Safe Sex / statistics & numerical data*
  • Self Efficacy
  • Sexual Partners*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States
  • Unsafe Sex / statistics & numerical data*
  • Young Adult