title: "Hedge Your Bets": Technology's Role in Young Gay Men's Relationship Challenges.
abstract: Technology is playing an increasingly pervasive role among young gay men in the process of meeting potential romantic or sexual partners. We investigated challenges posed by technology related to young gay men's relationships. Focus groups (n = 9) of young gay men aged 18-24 (n = 43) were transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis was used to identify two major themes regarding challenges to relationship development and maintenance. Subthemes include unrealistic expectations of relationships, inauthentic self-presentation online, sexual primacy over romance, increased opportunities for infidelity, and jealousy. The implications of this study for sexual education and sexual health promotion are discussed.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Wilfrid Laurier University , Waterloo , Canada.
authors.forename: Raymond M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: McKie
authors.affiliation: b Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition , University of Guelph , Guelph , Canada.
authors.forename: Robin R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Milhausen
authors.affiliation: c Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada; Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work , University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada.
authors.forename: Nathan J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Lachowsky
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D000072339:Sexual and Gender Minorities; D013672:Technology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Dating; Internet; mobile applications; sexuality; young men who have sex with men (YMSM)