Suchergebnisse

AbstractIntimate partner aggression (IPA) is high among gay, bisexual, queer, and other sexual minority men (SMM), and is strongly linked to minority stress. These links might be further magnified or buffered by communication between partners (i.e., negative and positive communication, respectively). The present study investigated associations of minority stress and IPA, and the moderating role of positive/negative communication, among male couples (N = 932 individuals, 466 couples). Partners completed measures of communication skills, minority stress, and IPA, which were analyzed using moderated actor‐partner interdependence models. Results suggested that microaggressions increase one's own (i.e., an actor effect) and one's partner's (i.e., a partner effect) verbal IPA victimization, verbal IPA perpetration, and physical IPA victimization. Positive communication moderated the association between microaggressions and verbal IPA victimization, suggesting that high levels of positive communication may buffer the microaggression‐verbal IPA link. Thus, minority stress' detrimental impacts on relationship functioning among male same‐sex couples may be reduced by the presence of positive communication (e.g., effective conflict resolution). We discuss structural and clinical innovations to prevent IPA among male couples, with particular emphasis on the absence of positive communication as an aggravating factor.

Purpose: Adolescent sexual minority men (ASMM) are affected disproportionately by HIV, and little is known about their utilization of sexual health care services. We aimed to examine demographic, regional, and political influences on the sexual health care experiences of a unique sample of racially diverse ASMM from across the United States. Methods: Data were collected between April 2018 and February 2019 as part of the baseline survey of an ongoing pragmatic trial of a suite of HIV prevention interventions for ASMM. At the time of analysis, 699 participants had completed baseline and were included in multivariable analyses examining demographic, regional, and political differences in perceived access to and experiences of sexual health care. Results: The majority of ASMM reported not having had various sexual health care experiences in the past 12 months (70.8%–85.7%, respectively), and a large proportion reported low-to-moderate perceived access to such services where they live (37.8%–64.1%, respectively). Some groups were significantly less likely to report perceived access to, or having had, certain sexual health care experiences, including ASMM in their early- to mid-teens and those who lived in rural areas, the South, and Republican state-level political climates. Conclusion: These analyses indicate that ASMM underutilize sexual health care and point to specific groups with the lowest rates of engagement. To address the sexual health needs of ASMM, structural changes need to be made in the sociopolitical arena (e.g., federal nondiscrimination legislation) and medical system (e.g., mandated training in LGBTQ care) that will reduce LGBTQ-related stigma and increase access to needed care.

This article explicates a vision for social change throughout multiple levels of society necessary to eliminate sexual orientation health disparities in youths. We utilized the framework of Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory of development, a multisystemic model of development that considers direct and indirect influences of multiple levels of the environment. Within this multisystem model we discuss societal and political influences, educational systems, neighborhoods and communities, romantic relationships, families, and individuals. We stress that continued change toward equity in the treatment of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths across these levels will break down the barriers for these youths to achieve healthy development on par with their heterosexual peers.