Social network composition and sexual risk-taking among gay and bisexual men in Atlanta, GA

AIDS Behav. 2014 Jan;18(1):59-68. doi: 10.1007/s10461-013-0569-y.

Abstract

Social network composition is known to effect patterns of reported sexual risk-taking among men who have sex with men (MSM); however, consensus as to the directionality and size of these effects is lacking. We examined the relationships between novel aspects of social network composition and sexual risk-taking using a cross-sectional survey of 870 MSM. Social network composition was found to have mixed effects on reported sexual risk-taking: reporting proportionally more lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB)-identified friends and reporting friends who were on average significantly older than the respondent were both associated with reporting increased sexual risk, while reporting proportionally more LGB-identified friends in relationships and reporting a social network proportionally more aware of the respondent's homosexuality/bisexuality were both associated with reporting decreased sexual risk. The support structures created by differing social network compositions-and particularly the presence of LGB couples-may be a potential area for targeting sexual risk-reduction interventions for MSM.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Bisexuality / psychology*
  • Bisexuality / statistics & numerical data
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Georgia
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology*
  • Homosexuality, Male / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Sampling Studies
  • Social Support*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult