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. 2022 Sep;26(9):3089-3098.
doi: 10.1007/s10461-022-03640-6. Epub 2022 Mar 24.

Psychometric Properties of a Scale on Judgmental Communication with Peers About Sex Among YMSM and Their Close Friends in Lebanon

Matt G Mutchler  1   2 , Glenn J Wagner  3 , Bryce McDavitt  4 , Mahlet A Woldetsadik  3 , Susan M Kegeles  5 , Cynthia El-Khoury  6 , Kelsey A Nogg  7 , Ian A Klinger  8   9 , Jacques Mokhbat  10 , Elie G Ballan  11
Affiliations

Psychometric Properties of a Scale on Judgmental Communication with Peers About Sex Among YMSM and Their Close Friends in Lebanon

Matt G Mutchler et al. AIDS Behav. 2022 Sep.

Abstract

We are not aware of any validated sexual health communication scales for use with young men who have sex with men (YMSM). We used data from an HIV prevention study in Lebanon with 226 YMSM aged 18-29 to assess the psychometric characteristics of our scale, Judgmental Communication with Peers about Sex (JCPS). The construct validity of the JCPS scale was supported by it being negatively correlated with general social support, percentage of alters perceived to be supportive, and the percentage of peers who are perceived to use condoms. The scale was positively correlated with gay-related discrimination, feeling part of the gay community, and gay social integration. These findings reflect a reliable, valid measure to assess judgmental sexual health communication between YMSM.

Keywords: Gay; HIV prevention; Judgmentalism; Peers; Sexual communication scale.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest The authors report no conflict of interest.

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