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

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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.

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Acknowledgments

The authors extend their thanks to the study participants for their time and effort. This research was supported by Grant R01 MH 75598 from the National Institute of Mental Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Research on Gender and Sexuality, San Francisco State University, 835 Market Street, Suite 517, San Francisco, CA, 94103, USA

    Anu Manchikanti Gomez, Sean C. Beougher, Deepalika Chakravarty, Carmen Gomez Mandic & Colleen C. Hoff

  2. Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, 50 Beale Street, Suite 1300, San Francisco, CA, 94105, USA

    Deepalika Chakravarty, Torsten B. Neilands & Lynae A. Darbes

Authors
  1. Anu Manchikanti Gomez
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  2. Sean C. Beougher
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  3. Deepalika Chakravarty
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  4. Torsten B. Neilands
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  5. Carmen Gomez Mandic
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  6. Lynae A. Darbes
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  7. Colleen C. Hoff
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Correspondence to Anu Manchikanti Gomez.

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Gomez, A.M., Beougher, S.C., Chakravarty, D. et al. Relationship Dynamics as Predictors of Broken Agreements About Outside Sexual Partners: Implications for HIV Prevention Among Gay Couples. AIDS Behav 16, 1584–1588 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-0074-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-0074-0

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