Abstract
Much research has examined the relationship between depressive symptoms and unprotected sex among men who have sex with men
(MSM), but little is known about how depression is related to the sexual behavior of men who intentionally engage in unprotected
anal intercourse, or bareback sex. In this study, we explored the extent to which depressive symptoms were associated with
rates of unprotected sex among barebackers, and whether this relationship was dependent upon HIV serostatus. Using a sample
of 120 MSM who engage in intentional condomless sex, we found that for HIV-negative participants, depressive symptoms were
associated with the overall frequency of unprotected anal intercourse as well as unprotected anal intercourse with a serodiscordant
partner. For HIV-positive participants, depressive symptoms were not associated unprotected intercourse. Additional research
is needed to better understand depression among men who bareback and how interventions could be designed to address depression
and reduce sexual risk behaviors.
(MSM), but little is known about how depression is related to the sexual behavior of men who intentionally engage in unprotected
anal intercourse, or bareback sex. In this study, we explored the extent to which depressive symptoms were associated with
rates of unprotected sex among barebackers, and whether this relationship was dependent upon HIV serostatus. Using a sample
of 120 MSM who engage in intentional condomless sex, we found that for HIV-negative participants, depressive symptoms were
associated with the overall frequency of unprotected anal intercourse as well as unprotected anal intercourse with a serodiscordant
partner. For HIV-positive participants, depressive symptoms were not associated unprotected intercourse. Additional research
is needed to better understand depression among men who bareback and how interventions could be designed to address depression
and reduce sexual risk behaviors.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10461-012-0156-7
- Authors
- E. Houston, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 15, New York, NY 10032, USA
- T. Sandfort, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 15, New York, NY 10032, USA
- C. Dolezal, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 15, New York, NY 10032, USA
- A. Carballo-Diéguez, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 15, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Journal AIDS and Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-3254
- Print ISSN 1090-7165