Spectrums of love: examining the relationship between romantic motivations and sexual risk among young gay and bisexual men.
We examined the association between HIV/AIDS risk behaviors and romantic feelings among single, young gay and bisexual men (YGBM). Romantic feelings may have positive (romantic ideation) and negative (romantic obsession) connotations. Consequently, we hypothesized that YGBM would report greater risks if they reported having obsessive thoughts about their relationship desires; conversely, we hypothesized that YGBM who envision a romantic relationship would report fewer unprotected partners. Using cross-sectional data from a study examining YGBM's online dating experiences (N = 376; ages 18-24), we found a positive association between romantic obsession and number of partners for unprotected receptive (URAI) and insertive (UIAI) anal intercourse. Conversely, we found a negative association between romantic ideation and number of partners for URAI and UIAI. Is love risky or protective? Our results indicate support for both perspectives. We discuss the implications of our findings, highlighting the importance of addressing romantic pursuits into existing HIV prevention interventions for YGBM.
Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 48109-2029, USA. jbauerme@umich.edu
José A
JA
Bauermeister
Ana
A
Ventuneac
Emily
E
Pingel
Jeffrey T
JT
Parsons
D000293:Adolescent; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D017280:Condoms; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008149:Love; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult