title: Contextualizing condom use: intimacy interference, stigma, and unprotected sex.
abstract: Intimate relationships have received increasing attention as a context for HIV transmission. We examined the relationships among perceptions that condoms interfere with intimacy, gay-related stigma, and unprotected/protected anal intercourse. Participants included 245 single-identified men who have sex with men. Intimacy Interference was positively associated with number of unprotected anal intercourse acts, and this effect was stronger among participants who reported high levels of gay-related stigma. In contrast, Intimacy Interference was negatively associated with number of protected anal intercourse acts, and gay-related stigma was positively associated with this outcome with no evidence of interaction effects. The findings are explained in the context of rejection sensitivity theory, and implications for public health and clinical intervention are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Center for HIV/AIDS Educational Studies and Training (CHEST), USA.
authors.forename: Tyrel J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Starks
authors.affiliation: Teachers College Columbia University, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Payton
authors.affiliation: Hunter College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY), USA.
authors.forename: Sarit A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Golub
authors.affiliation: Hunter College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY), USA.
authors.forename: Corina L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Weinberger
authors.affiliation: Center for HIV/AIDS Educational Studies and Training (CHEST), USA Hunter College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY), USA jeffrey.parsons@hunter.cuny.edu.
authors.forename: Jeffrey T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Parsons
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV prevention; sexual orientation; sexual risk taking; stigma