Stress and coping among HIV-positive barebackers.
HIV-positive MSM may report high-risk behaviors-including drug use and intentional unprotected anal sex-as a means of coping. We recruited a diverse sample of HIV-positive men (n = 66) at gay community events. One third of these men self-identified as barebackers. Barebackers were more likely to report drug use and sex under the influence of drugs (i.e., PnP). Beyond this, those who identified as barebackers also tended to report greater stigma, gay-related stress, self-blame-related coping, and substance abuse coping. Providers must attend to issues of stress and coping to engage men who may not respond to traditional risk reduction efforts.
Kelly
Brian C
BC
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA. bckelly@purdue.edu
Bimbi
David S
DS
Izienicki
Hubert
H
Parsons
Jeffrey T
JT
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D055815:Young Adult
D013287:Illicit Drugs