Skip to main content
Top
Published in: AIDS and Behavior 6/2012

01-08-2012 | Brief Report

Relationship Dynamics as Predictors of Broken Agreements About Outside Sexual Partners: Implications for HIV Prevention Among Gay Couples

Authors: Anu Manchikanti Gomez, Sean C. Beougher, Deepalika Chakravarty, Torsten B. Neilands, Carmen Gomez Mandic, Lynae A. Darbes, Colleen C. Hoff

Published in: AIDS and Behavior | Issue 6/2012

Login to get access

Abstract

Agreements about sex with outside partners are common among gay couples, and breaks in these agreements can be indicative of HIV risk. Using longitudinal survey data from both partners in 263 HIV-negative and -discordant gay couples, we investigate whether relationship dynamics are associated with broken agreements. Twenty-three percent of respondents reported broken agreements. Partners with higher levels of trust, communication, commitment, and social support were significantly less likely to report breaking their agreement. Promoting positive relationship dynamics as part of HIV prevention interventions for gay couples provides the opportunity to minimize the occurrence of broken agreements and, ultimately, reduce HIV risk.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diagnoses of HIV infection and AIDS in the United States and dependent areas, 2009. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diagnoses of HIV infection and AIDS in the United States and dependent areas, 2009. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011.
2.
go back to reference Mustanski B, Newcomb ME, Clerkin EM. Relationship characteristics and sexual risk-taking in young men who have sex with men. Health Psychol. 2011;30(5):597–605.PubMedCrossRef Mustanski B, Newcomb ME, Clerkin EM. Relationship characteristics and sexual risk-taking in young men who have sex with men. Health Psychol. 2011;30(5):597–605.PubMedCrossRef
3.
go back to reference Sullivan PS, Salazar L, Buchbinder S, Sanchez TH. Estimating the proportion of HIV transmissions from main sex partners among men who have sex with men in five US cities. AIDS. 2009;23(9):1153–62.PubMedCrossRef Sullivan PS, Salazar L, Buchbinder S, Sanchez TH. Estimating the proportion of HIV transmissions from main sex partners among men who have sex with men in five US cities. AIDS. 2009;23(9):1153–62.PubMedCrossRef
4.
go back to reference Kippax S, Slavin S, Ellard J, Hendry O, Richters J, Grulich A, et al. Seroconversion in context. AIDS Care. 2003;15(6):839–52.PubMedCrossRef Kippax S, Slavin S, Ellard J, Hendry O, Richters J, Grulich A, et al. Seroconversion in context. AIDS Care. 2003;15(6):839–52.PubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference Appleby PR, Miller LC, Rothspan S. The paradox of trust for male couples: when risking is part of loving. Pers Relat. 1999;6(1):81–93.CrossRef Appleby PR, Miller LC, Rothspan S. The paradox of trust for male couples: when risking is part of loving. Pers Relat. 1999;6(1):81–93.CrossRef
6.
go back to reference Hoff CC, Beougher SC. Sexual agreements among gay male couples. Arch Sex Behav. 2010;39(3):774–87.PubMedCrossRef Hoff CC, Beougher SC. Sexual agreements among gay male couples. Arch Sex Behav. 2010;39(3):774–87.PubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference Hoff C, Beougher SC, Chakravarty D, Darbes L, Neilands T. Relationship characteristics and motivations behind agreements among gay male couples: differences by agreement type and couple serostatus. AIDS Care. 2010;22(7):827–35.PubMedCrossRef Hoff C, Beougher SC, Chakravarty D, Darbes L, Neilands T. Relationship characteristics and motivations behind agreements among gay male couples: differences by agreement type and couple serostatus. AIDS Care. 2010;22(7):827–35.PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Crawford JM, Rodden P, Kippax S, Van de Ven P. Negotiated safety and other agreements between men in relationships: risk practice redefined. Int J STD AIDS. 2001;12(3):164–70.PubMedCrossRef Crawford JM, Rodden P, Kippax S, Van de Ven P. Negotiated safety and other agreements between men in relationships: risk practice redefined. Int J STD AIDS. 2001;12(3):164–70.PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Sternberg RJ. Triangulating love. In: Sternberg RJ, Barnes ML, editors. The psychology of love. New Haven: Yale University Press; 1988. p. 119–38. Sternberg RJ. Triangulating love. In: Sternberg RJ, Barnes ML, editors. The psychology of love. New Haven: Yale University Press; 1988. p. 119–38.
10.
go back to reference Cutrona CE, Russell D. The provisions of social relationships and adaptation to stress. In: Jones WH, Perlman D, editors. Advances in personal relationships. Greenwich: JAI Press; 1987. p. 37–67. Cutrona CE, Russell D. The provisions of social relationships and adaptation to stress. In: Jones WH, Perlman D, editors. Advances in personal relationships. Greenwich: JAI Press; 1987. p. 37–67.
11.
go back to reference Rempel JK, Holmes JG, Zanna MP. Trust in close relationships. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1985;49(1):95–112.CrossRef Rempel JK, Holmes JG, Zanna MP. Trust in close relationships. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1985;49(1):95–112.CrossRef
12.
go back to reference Christensen A, Shenk JL. Communication, conflict, and psychological distance in nondistressed, clinic, and divorcing couples. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1991;59(3):458–63.PubMedCrossRef Christensen A, Shenk JL. Communication, conflict, and psychological distance in nondistressed, clinic, and divorcing couples. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1991;59(3):458–63.PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Relationship Dynamics as Predictors of Broken Agreements About Outside Sexual Partners: Implications for HIV Prevention Among Gay Couples
Authors
Anu Manchikanti Gomez
Sean C. Beougher
Deepalika Chakravarty
Torsten B. Neilands
Carmen Gomez Mandic
Lynae A. Darbes
Colleen C. Hoff
Publication date
01-08-2012
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
AIDS and Behavior / Issue 6/2012
Print ISSN: 1090-7165
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3254
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-0074-0

Other articles of this Issue 6/2012

AIDS and Behavior 6/2012 Go to the issue
Obesity Clinical Trial Summary

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.

Developed by: Springer Medicine

Highlights from the ACC 2024 Congress

Year in Review: Pediatric cardiology

Watch Dr. Anne Marie Valente present the last year's highlights in pediatric and congenital heart disease in the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Pulmonary vascular disease

The last year's highlights in pulmonary vascular disease are presented by Dr. Jane Leopold in this official video from ACC.24.

Year in Review: Valvular heart disease

Watch Prof. William Zoghbi present the last year's highlights in valvular heart disease from the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Heart failure and cardiomyopathies

Watch this official video from ACC.24. Dr. Biykem Bozkurt discusses last year's major advances in heart failure and cardiomyopathies.