title: Experiencing release: sex environments and escapism for HIV-positive men who have sex with men.
abstract: There are nonsexual reasons that may motivate people to seek out sexual activity with others. Some men who have sex with men may seek out sex environments to engage in sexual behavior. Among the nonsexual reasons that exist for men who have sex with men is a desire to escape from distressing thoughts and feelings. The amplified sexuality and other unique characteristics of sex environments allow men to have more intense emotional experiences around sex. Using the cognitive escape model as a theoretical foundation, this analysis focuses on the emotional vulnerability that some of the men who visit these venues may be avoiding and how their experiences at these venues might act as releasing mechanisms to alleviate dissonant thoughts and feelings. Implications for public health services and future research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Center for HIV Education Studies and Training.
authors.forename: Kalil J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Vicioso
authors.forename: Jeffrey T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.forename: Jose E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Nanin
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Purcell
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Woods
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D017280:Condoms; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D009519:New York City; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires