Abstract
As HIV infection rates remain high among young gay and bisexual men, investigations into determinants of sexual risk are paramount.
This study examined independent and interactive effects of substance use, mental health, perceived benefits of unprotected
sex, and type of sex partner on odds of not using condoms. Analyses included 188 high-risk substance using HIV-negative and
unknown status young gay and bisexual men (ages 18–29). Substance use and endorsing favorable attitudes towards unprotected
sex strongly predicted sexual risk. Mental health moderated the relationship between partner type (main vs. casual) and condom
use such that increased anxiety and depression were associated with increased odds of using condoms with main partners and
not using condoms with casual partners. Understanding how these determinants of HIV risk converge to predict unprotected anal
sex can identify essential risk relationships for prevention, obtain effects sizes of greater magnitude and prolonged sustainability,
and build robust couples-based interventions.
This study examined independent and interactive effects of substance use, mental health, perceived benefits of unprotected
sex, and type of sex partner on odds of not using condoms. Analyses included 188 high-risk substance using HIV-negative and
unknown status young gay and bisexual men (ages 18–29). Substance use and endorsing favorable attitudes towards unprotected
sex strongly predicted sexual risk. Mental health moderated the relationship between partner type (main vs. casual) and condom
use such that increased anxiety and depression were associated with increased odds of using condoms with main partners and
not using condoms with casual partners. Understanding how these determinants of HIV risk converge to predict unprotected anal
sex can identify essential risk relationships for prevention, obtain effects sizes of greater magnitude and prolonged sustainability,
and build robust couples-based interventions.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-13
- DOI 10.1007/s10461-012-0206-1
- Authors
- Jeffrey T. Parsons, Center for HIV/AIDS Educational Studies and Training (CHEST), Hunter College of the City University of New York, 142 West 36th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10018, USA
- Corina Lelutiu-Weinberger, Center for HIV/AIDS Educational Studies and Training (CHEST), Hunter College of the City University of New York, 142 West 36th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10018, USA
- Michael Botsko, Center for HIV/AIDS Educational Studies and Training (CHEST), Hunter College of the City University of New York, 142 West 36th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10018, USA
- Sarit A. Golub, Center for HIV/AIDS Educational Studies and Training (CHEST), Hunter College of the City University of New York, 142 West 36th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10018, USA
- Journal AIDS and Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-3254
- Print ISSN 1090-7165