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. 2021 Feb;68(2):419-421.
doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.05.052. Epub 2020 Jul 7.

Adolescent Sexual Minority Males, Relationship Functioning, and Condomless Sex

Tyrel J Starks  1 , Trey V Dellucci  2 , Travis I Lovejoy  3 , Gabriel Robles  4 , Ruben Jimenez  5 , Demetria Cain  5 , Sylvie Naar  6 , Sarah W Feldstein Ewing  7
Affiliations

Adolescent Sexual Minority Males, Relationship Functioning, and Condomless Sex

Tyrel J Starks et al. J Adolesc Health. 2021 Feb.

Abstract

Purpose: Adolescent sexual minority males (SMMs) are at a high risk of contracting HIV through condomless sex. Many develop serious partnerships, and sex with main partners accounts for many new infections. Previous research with adolescent SMMs largely focused on relationship seriousness and found a positive association with sexual HIV risk. This study tested associations between three relationship functioning indicators and condomless sex.

Methods: Adolescent SMMs aged 15-19 years (n = 85) completed a brief online survey. Respondents rated commitment, seriousness, and satisfaction on 7-point Likert-type scales.

Results: Among adolescent SMMs who had sex in their lifetime, those who were more satisfied in their relationship were less likely to have condomless in the past 90 days (odds ratio = .56, p = .04).

Conclusions: Results support examining multiple domains of relationship functioning in this age group to identify relationship mechanisms that may serve as the target of HIV risk-reduction interventions among adolescent SMMs initiating relationships.

Keywords: Adolescents; Condomless sex; Relationship satisfaction; Relationships; Sexual minority males.

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