Stressful events, avoidance coping, and unprotected anal sex among gay and bisexual men.
This study examined associations among stressful life events, avoidance coping, and unprotected anal sex (UAS) in a convenience sample of 297 men obtained through the Internet and who either reported having sex with men or self-identified as gay or bisexual. Participants completed an Internet-hosted self-administered questionnaire that included measures of victimization experiences and other stressful life events, and avoidance coping. More than half of the sample reported engaging in UAS during the previous 6 months. Victimization predicted UAS regardless of partner type; victimization, HIV-positive serostatus, and avoidance coping predicted UAS with nonprimary partners. The findings provide evidence that American gay and bisexual men may experience a variety of stressful life events, including a surprising amount of victimization, and that at least some episodes of UAS may be associated with attempts to cope with distress associated with such events.
Martin
James I
JI
Silver School of Social Work, New York University, NewYork, NY 10003, USA. james.martin@nyu.edu
Alessi
Edward J
EJ
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data