TY - JOUR
T1 - Risk bases in childhood and adolescence among HIV-negative young adult gay and bisexual male barebackers
AU - Halkitis, Perry N.
AU - Siconolfi, Daniel
AU - Fumerton, Megan
AU - Barlup, Kristin A.
N1 - Funding Information:
ABSTRACT. We sought to consider the phenomenon of intentional unprotected intercourse, known colloquially as barebacking, with regard to identities that gay men develop as barebackers and the developmental bases that may predispose some men to this identity. As part of a larger study, we analyzed the life history interviews of 12 diverse HIV-negative men in early adulthood, using thematic coding procedures to identify events, conditions, and emotional states in childhood and adolescence that might help to explain why uninfected young men might place themselves at risk for HIV seroconversion. These analyses elicited various risk bases in childhood Perry N. Halkitis, PhD, is Director, Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies (CHIBPS), Professor of Applied Psychology and Public Health, New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Daniel Siconolfi, MPH, is a Project Director at the Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies (CHIBPS). Megan Fumerton, MA, is Doctoral Candidate in the School Psychology program, New York University. Kristen A. Barlup was Intern at the Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies (CHIBPS) at the time this manuscript was prepared. Address correspondence to Perry N. Halkitis, PhD, 82 Washington Square East, Pless, 553, New York, NY 10003. E-mail: pnh1@nyu.edu This research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse Contract No. R01DA13798-04S1.
PY - 2008/10
Y1 - 2008/10
N2 - We sought to consider the phenomenon of intentional unprotected intercourse, known colloquially as barebacking, with regard to identities that gay men develop as barebackers and the developmental bases that may predispose some men to this identity. As part of a larger study, we analyzed the life history interviews of 12 diverse HIV-negative men in early adulthood, using thematic coding procedures to identify events, conditions, and emotional states in childhood and adolescence that might help to explain why uninfected young men might place themselves at risk for HIV seroconversion. These analyses elicited various risk bases in childhood and adolescence, including early sexual experiences, pronounced experimentation with and abuse of drugs and alcohol, feelings of loneliness, a lack of love relationships despite sexual activity, and early experiences of loss. These findings suggest a complex interplay between emotional factors and life events, which may help to explain these men as sexual risk takers.
AB - We sought to consider the phenomenon of intentional unprotected intercourse, known colloquially as barebacking, with regard to identities that gay men develop as barebackers and the developmental bases that may predispose some men to this identity. As part of a larger study, we analyzed the life history interviews of 12 diverse HIV-negative men in early adulthood, using thematic coding procedures to identify events, conditions, and emotional states in childhood and adolescence that might help to explain why uninfected young men might place themselves at risk for HIV seroconversion. These analyses elicited various risk bases in childhood and adolescence, including early sexual experiences, pronounced experimentation with and abuse of drugs and alcohol, feelings of loneliness, a lack of love relationships despite sexual activity, and early experiences of loss. These findings suggest a complex interplay between emotional factors and life events, which may help to explain these men as sexual risk takers.
KW - Barebacking
KW - Development
KW - Drug and alcohol use
KW - Gay men
KW - HIV
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U2 - 10.1080/10538720802310709
DO - 10.1080/10538720802310709
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:69849133227
SN - 1053-8720
VL - 20
SP - 288
EP - 314
JO - Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services
JF - Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services
IS - 4
ER -