Adolescent Sexual Minority Males, Relationship Functioning, and Condomless Sex

Tyrel J Starks; Trey V Dellucci; Travis I Lovejoy; Gabriel Robles; Ruben Jimenez; Demetria Cain; Sylvie Naar; Sarah W Feldstein Ewing

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.05.052

Adolescent Sexual Minority Males, Relationship Functioning, and Condomless Sex

J Adolesc Health. 2021 Feb;68(2):419-421. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.05.052. Epub 2020 Jul 7.

Authors

Tyrel J Starks¹, Trey V Dellucci², Travis I Lovejoy³, Gabriel Robles⁴, Ruben Jimenez⁵, Demetria Cain⁵, Sylvie Naar⁶, Sarah W Feldstein Ewing⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, New York; Health Psychology and Clinical Science Doctoral Program, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, New York. Electronic address: tstarks@hunter.cuny.edu.
² Department of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, New York; Health Psychology and Clinical Science Doctoral Program, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, New York.
³ Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon.
⁴ School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
⁵ Department of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, New York.
⁶ Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, FSU College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida.
⁷ Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island.

Abstract

Purpose: Adolescent sexual minority males (SMMs) are at a high risk of contracting HIV through condomless sex. Many develop serious partnerships, and sex with main partners accounts for many new infections. Previous research with adolescent SMMs largely focused on relationship seriousness and found a positive association with sexual HIV risk. This study tested associations between three relationship functioning indicators and condomless sex.

Methods: Adolescent SMMs aged 15-19 years (n = 85) completed a brief online survey. Respondents rated commitment, seriousness, and satisfaction on 7-point Likert-type scales.

Results: Among adolescent SMMs who had sex in their lifetime, those who were more satisfied in their relationship were less likely to have condomless in the past 90 days (odds ratio = .56, p = .04).

Conclusions: Results support examining multiple domains of relationship functioning in this age group to identify relationship mechanisms that may serve as the target of HIV risk-reduction interventions among adolescent SMMs initiating relationships.

Keywords: Adolescents; Condomless sex; Relationship satisfaction; Relationships; Sexual minority males.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Condoms
HIV Infections*
Homosexuality, Male
Humans
Male
Personal Satisfaction
Risk-Taking
Sexual Behavior
Sexual Partners
Sexual and Gender Minorities*
Unsafe Sex

Grants and funding

U19 HD089875/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States