Relationship factors associated with gay male couples' concordance on aspects of their sexual agreements: establishment, type, and adherence

AIDS Behav. 2012 Aug;16(6):1560-9. doi: 10.1007/s10461-011-0064-2.

Abstract

Factors associated with gay male couples' concordance on aspects of sexual agreements remain understudied. The present study examined which relationship factors, self-reports of UAI, and patterns of HIV testing may be associated with men who were concordant about having a sexual agreement, the same type of sexual agreement, and adhering to their sexual agreement with their main partner. Various recruitment strategies were used to collect dyadic data from 142 gay male couples. Concordance on aspects of sexual agreements varied within the sample. Results indicated that relationship satisfaction was significantly associated with couples who were concordant about having and adhering to their sexual agreement. Predictability and faith of trusting a partner, and value in one's sexual agreement were also positively associated with couples' adhering to their sexual agreement. More research is needed to better understand how relationship dynamics, including sexual agreements, affect HIV risk among gay male couples in the U.S.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Decision Making
  • Family Characteristics
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multilevel Analysis
  • Negotiating*
  • Oregon
  • Sexual Partners / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Trust
  • Washington