scholarly journals Perceptions and Definitions of Power Within the Context of HIV-Negative Male Couples’ Relationships

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 801-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason W. Mitchell ◽  
Amber I. Sophus

Examining dynamics within relationships is critical for development of effective HIV prevention interventions for male couples. The dynamic of power has received little attention in research with male couples, though power has been reported to affect HIV risk among heterosexual couples. To help address this knowledge gap, the present cross-sectional analysis used mixed methods with dyadic data from 142 HIV-negative male couples to (1) assess partnered men’s perception of who has the most power in their relationship and why, (2) examine whether partners concur about who has the most power and their reasoning for this selection, and (3) assess whether male couples’ concurrence about who has the most power is associated with their engagement of condomless anal sex within and/or outside the relationship, type of relationship, and aspects of their sexual agreement. Individual- and couple-level responses about who has the most power were quantitatively assessed, whereas for why, their responses were coded qualitatively. Fifty-six percent of couples concurred about who has the most power in their relationship and of these, many said it was equal. Regarding why, themes of responses ranged from “compromise” and “shared responsibility” for those who concurred about who has the most power versus “dominant/compliant personality” and “money” among the couples who disagreed about who has the most power in their relationship. Concordance about who has the most power was only associated with condomless anal sex within the relationship. Further research is warranted to examine how power may affect other dynamics of male couples’ relationships and risk-related behaviors.

Author(s):  
Jordan M. Sang ◽  
Zishan Cui ◽  
Paul Sereda ◽  
Heather L. Armstrong ◽  
Gbolahan Olarewaju ◽  
...  

(1) Background: Condomless anal sex and substance use are associated with STI risk among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM). Our first study objective was to describe event-level sexual risk and substance use trends among gbMSM. Our second study objective was to describe substances associated with event-level sexual risk. (2) Methods: Data come from the Momentum Health Study in Vancouver, British Columbia and participants were recruited from 2012–2015, with follow-up until 2018. Stratified by self-reported HIV status, we used generalized estimating equations to assess trends of sexual event-level substance use and assessed interactions between substance use and time period on event-level higher risk sex defined as condomless anal sex with an HIV serodifferent or unknown status partner. (3) Results: Event-level higher risk anal sex increased across the study period among HIV-negative/unknown (baseline prevalence: 13% vs. study end prevalence: 29%) and HIV-positive gbMSM (baseline prevalence: 16% vs. study end prevalence: 38%). Among HIV-negative/unknown gbMSM, event-level erectile drug use increased, while alcohol use decreased over the study period. Overall, interactions between substance use and time on higher risk anal sex were not statistically significant, regardless of serostatus. However, we found a number of time-specific significant interactions for erectile drugs, poppers, Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), crystal methamphetamine and ecstasy/MDMA use among HIV-negative/unknown gbMSM. (4) Conclusion: Significant differences in substance use trends and associated risks exist and are varied among gbMSM by serostatus. These findings provide a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of event-level substance use on sexual risk through longitudinal follow-up of nearly six years.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 600-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason W. Mitchell ◽  
Ji-Young Lee ◽  
Cory Woodyatt ◽  
José Bauermeister ◽  
Patrick Sullivan ◽  
...  

A sexual agreement is an explicit mutual understanding made between two partners about which sexual and relational behaviors they agree to engage in within and/or outside of their relationship. Factors that prompt male couples to form a sexual agreement and under what circumstances remain underinvestigated, yet are important considerations for development of couples-based sexual health and HIV prevention interventions. By using thematic analysis with qualitative dyadic data from a convenience sample of 29 HIV-negative male couples, the present study sought to describe the timing and investigate the context and circumstances that led male couples to establish a sexual agreement in their relationship at both the individual and couple levels, and by agreement type. Themes identified for when a sexual agreement was formed included within the first 6 months, and after 6 months in the relationship. Themes related to context and circumstances of couples’ sexual agreement formation were as follows: (a) desire for sexual exploration, (b) arisen circumstances or events with other men, (c) influences from past relationship(s) and/or other couples (i.e., peers), (d) to protect against HIV, and (e) purposeful conversations versus understood. Findings suggest HIV prevention efforts should include skill-building exercises to help improve communication and promote sex positivity within male couples’ relationships.


2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 262-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason W. Mitchell

Prior studies with men who have sex with men have documented a strong association between substance use with sex and risk for acquisition of HIV. However, few studies have been conducted about gay male couples’ use of substances with sex, despite the fact that between one third and two thirds of men who have sex with men acquire HIV from their relationship partners. The present study sought to (1) describe whether one or both partners in the male couple uses substances with sex—by substance type—within and/or outside of their relationship, and (2) assess whether differences exist in those who use substances with sex within and outside the relationship by the couples’ HIV status. Dyadic data for this analysis were collected in the United States from a nation-wide cross-sectional Internet study about male couples’ relationships and behaviors. Couple-level descriptive and comparative analyses were employed with 361 male couples. Except for alcohol, most couples did not use substances with sex. Of those who did, rates of who used it with sex and substance type within the relationship varied; most couples only had one partner who used substances with sex outside the relationship. Significantly higher proportions of concordantly HIV-negative and HIV-positive couples had both partners who used substances (all types) with sex within their relationship over discordant couples. Most couples had one partner who used outside the relationship; only marijuana and erectile dysfunction medication use with sex significantly differed by couples’ HIV status. Findings indicate the need to conduct additional research for prevention development.


2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-126
Author(s):  
Kalonde Malama ◽  
Luis Sagaon-Teyssier ◽  
Rachel Parker ◽  
Amanda Tichacek ◽  
Tyronza Sharkey ◽  
...  

Female sex workers (FSWs) are at high risk of HIV infection. Alcohol use prior to sex can compound this risk. We investigated the factors associated with having sex under the influence of alcohol among Zambian FSWs. Community health workers and peer FSWs recruited 331 HIV-negative FSWs in Lusaka and Ndola. In a cross-sectional survey, we asked FSWs how often they had sex under the influence of alcohol in the previous month and categorised responses as ‘always’ and ‘not always’. The adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of always having sex under the influence of alcohol were higher among FSWs who charged clients medium (AOR: 2.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–4.68) and low fees (AOR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.26–5.60) for sex versus high fees; received 9–19 (AOR: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.15–4.91) and 20 or more clients per month (AOR: 3.06, 95% CI: 1.47–6.37) versus up to 8 clients per month; and never used condoms versus always used condoms with clients (AOR: 4.21, 95% CI: 1.53–11.55). FSWs who always used alcohol before sex appeared more likely to engage in riskier sex and charge clients lower fees. Interventions for financial empowerment and alcohol risk reduction should complement existing HIV prevention interventions for FSWs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 189 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linwei Wang ◽  
Nasheed Moqueet ◽  
Gilles Lambert ◽  
Daniel Grace ◽  
Ricky Rodrigues ◽  
...  

Abstract Using cross-sectional survey data (Engage, 2017–2018) from 1,137 men who have sex with men, ≥16 years old, in Montreal, we compared observed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroconcordance in previous-6-months’ sexual partnerships with what would have been observed by chance if zero individuals serosorted. Of 5 recent partnerships where both individuals were HIV-negative, we compared observed concordance in preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use with the counterfactual if zero individuals selected partners based on PrEP use. We estimated the concordance by chance using a balancing-partnerships approach assuming proportionate mixing. HIV-positive respondents had a higher proportion of HIV-positive partners (66.4%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 64.0, 68.6) than by chance (23.9%, 95% CI: 23.1, 24.7). HIV-negative respondents (both on and not on PrEP) had higher proportions of HIV-negative partners (82.9% (95% CI: 81.1, 84.7) and 90.7% (95% CI: 89.6, 91.7), respectively) compared with by chance (76.1%, 95% CI: 75.3, 76.9); however, those on PrEP had a higher proportion of HIV-positive partners than those not on PrEP (17.1% (95% CI: 15.3, 18.9) vs. 9.3% (95% CI: 8.3, 10.4). Those on PrEP also had a higher proportion of partners on PrEP among their HIV-negative partners (50.6%, 95% CI: 42.5, 58.8) than by chance (28.5%, 95% CI: 27.5, 29.4). The relationship between PrEP and sexual-mixing patterns demonstrated by less population-level serosorting among those on PrEP and PrEP-matching warrants consideration during PrEP roll-out.


Sexual Health ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa A. Eaton ◽  
Demetria N. Cain ◽  
Howard Pope ◽  
Jonathan Garcia ◽  
Chauncey Cherry

Objectives Although pornography is widely available and frequently used among many adults in the USA, little is known about the relationship between pornography and risk factors for HIV transmission among men who have sex with men. Methods: Baseline assessments from a behavioural intervention trial for at-risk men who have sex with men were conducted in Atlanta, GA in 2009. Univariate and multivariate generalised linear models were used to assess the relationships between known risk factors for HIV infection, time spent viewing pornography, and sex behaviours. Results: One hundred forty-nine men reporting HIV-negative status and two or more unprotected anal sex partners in the past 6 months were enrolled in an intervention trial and completed survey assessments. Time spent viewing pornography was significantly associated with having more male sexual partners (B = 0.45, SE = 0.04, P < 0.001) and unprotected insertive anal sex acts (B = 0.28, SE = 0.04, P < 0.001). Moreover, increased substance use (drug use, B = 0.61, SE = 0.14, P < 0.001; alcohol use, B = 0.03, SE = 0.01, P < 0.01) and decreased perception of risk for HIV infection (B = –0.09, SE = 0.04, P < 0.05) were found to be significantly associated with greater time spent viewing pornography. Conclusions: This exploratory study is novel in that it sheds light on the associations between viewing pornography and sexual risk taking for HIV infection. Future studies in this area should focus on understanding how the content of pornography; in particular, the viewing of unprotected and protected sex acts, may affect sexual risk taking behaviour.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Franklin Odini ◽  
Uloaku Emma-Ukaegbu ◽  
Uche Nwamoh

Abstract Background Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is the range of sexually, psychologically and physically coercive acts used against adult and adolescent women by a current or former male partner. IPV is the commonest form of violence against women and one of the most pervasive human rights abuses against women. The UN reported that 1 in 3 women had experienced physical/sexual violence at some point in their lives and 2 in 3 victims of intimate partner homicide are women. This study is aimed at determining the predictors of IPV amongst WLWHA and HIV negative women in Umuahia, Nigeria. Methods A comparative cross-sectional study involving 200 WLWHA and 200 HIV negative women in Umuahia using systematic random sampling method. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was deployed for data collection. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS. Results Predictors of IPV amongst WLWHA included partner involvement in concurrent relationship and having childhood exposure to domestic violence while those amongst HIV negative women included coerced first sex, woman earning more than her partner, partner frequent use of alcohol and partner use of either or both cigarette and marijuana. Conclusion Predictors of IPV differed amongst both groups of women. Primary prevention interventions aimed at prevention and reduction should be instituted especially amongst WLWHA. Health care settings should be equipped to ensure a comprehensive response whenever IPV is detected. Keywords Intimate Partner Violence, Predictors, WLWHA.


2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 17-33
Author(s):  
M. H. Kasianczuk ◽  

Female partners of men who have sex with men are a poorly studied group. Secondary analysis of the Ukrainian data gave the conservative number of such women as the range 10,700 to 43,000 persons. The article presents the results of the data analysis from the women’s subsample of a pilot a cross-sectional study of bisexual men and their female partners was conducted in 2013 in five Ukraine cities. 101 women were interviewed according to a standardized questionnaire, and 10 semi-structured interviews were recorded. The obtained data characterize the female partners of behaviorally bisexual men as a relatively young and mostly socially prosperous group with a completed education, having experience of cohabitation with men, as well as ready for sexual experiments and independent of the older generation. Confrontation with the bisexuality of the partner stimulates a change in perceptions of the relationship models between different genders and promotes the conscious choice of one’s own family life model with sensitivity to both members of the partnership’s needs. Most women interviewed characterize their relationships positively, although the stage may influence it in the relationship with the man before coming out of a bisexual and the rigidity of their own perceptions of gender roles. Limited communication with others, lack of sources of social and psychological support in crisis moments of life together may indicate socially disadapted status of heterosexual couples in which at least one partner is bisexual. This study’s main limitations are the small and non-random sampling and recruitment of respondents through their husbands or regular male partners who were open in their own non-heterosexuality.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samir Gupta ◽  
Jing Zhou ◽  
Shanfei Feng ◽  
Munyaradzi W. Nyadzayo

Purpose This study aims to investigate how the relationship factors, including equity, shared responsibility and relationship dependence leverage the value co-creation. The research studies the value co-creation process in a business-to-business (B2B) context between suppliers and customers and provides empirical evidence of the underlying effects. Design/methodology/approach Using social exchange theory, the research uses a mixed-method of in-depth interviews and questionnaire surveys. The sample of the survey has 123 business customers. Findings The findings suggest that equity not only positively affects but also mediates the effect of shared responsibility on value co-creation. The mediation effect is further moderated by the relationship dependence that buyers have on the seller. Research limitations/implications The cross-sectional survey used cannot establish causality relationships. Although the goal was not to establish causality, it could limit the rigor of the study. The longitudinal design could be used in the future to better address this deficiency. While the paper is the initial step to analyze the factors influencing value co-creation empirically, more studies could examine other commonly discussed constructs. Originality/value This empirical study enriches the value co-creation literature by examining the antecedents’ detailed mechanism that facilitates value co-creation in a B2B context.


1988 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 235-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan M. Mueller ◽  
Martin S. Fiebert

This study investigates predictive accuracy of empathy in heterosexual couples as affected by satisfaction experienced in the relationship, type of relationship (e.g., friend, boy/girlfriend, or spouse), and amount of time invested in the relationship. 20 couples in each of three groups (friends, boy/girlfriends, and spouses) participated. Subjects were undergraduate, American psychology students and staff members at a mental health training facility. Relational satisfaction was measured by scores on a satisfaction scale. Empathy was assessed by the accuracy of predictions of scores of partners on a modified version of the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule. A significant r of .22 was obtained between satisfaction and empathy for all groups. Correlations were significant: .40 for paired friends, .11 for girlfriends, and .54 for female spouses. Length and type of relationship did not significantly correlate with empathy. Satisfaction with one's partner was positively related with empathy.


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