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Published in: AIDS and Behavior 11/2014

01-11-2014 | Original Paper

Syndemic Factors Associated with HIV Risk for Gay and Bisexual Men: Comparing Latent Class and Latent Factor Modeling

Authors: Tyrel J. Starks, Brett M. Millar, Jeremy J. Eggleston, Jeffrey T. Parsons

Published in: AIDS and Behavior | Issue 11/2014

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Abstract

Syndemics theory has been proposed as a framework for understanding the role of multiple risk factors driving the HIV epidemic among gay and bisexual men. Previous studies have examined five syndemic indicators (polydrug use, depression, childhood sexual abuse, sexual compulsivity, and intimate partner violence). Many of these studies have utilized sum scores, the total number of syndemic factors endorsed, to quantify syndemic stress. This approach assumes a unidimensional latent factor and equivalence of factor loadings. It also overlooks the possibility that patterns, or classes, of syndemic factor endorsement may be present. The current study utilized survey data from 669 gay and bisexual men to test assumptions of unidimensionality and factor loading equivalence and to examine the utility of identifying latent classes of syndemic stress. Analysis supported operationalizing syndemics as a unidimensional latent factor. Assumptions of loading equality were not supported. Meaningful profiles of syndemic stress were not evident in latent class analysis results.
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Metadata
Title
Syndemic Factors Associated with HIV Risk for Gay and Bisexual Men: Comparing Latent Class and Latent Factor Modeling
Authors
Tyrel J. Starks
Brett M. Millar
Jeremy J. Eggleston
Jeffrey T. Parsons
Publication date
01-11-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
AIDS and Behavior / Issue 11/2014
Print ISSN: 1090-7165
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3254
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-014-0841-9

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