A Qualitative Analysis of Father–Son Relationships among HIV-Positive Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men

Abstract

Young black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) are experiencing high and rising rates of HIV infection, more than any other age-risk group category in the USA. Contributors to HIV risk in this group remain incompletely elucidated. We conducted exploratory qualitative interviews with 20 HIV-positive YBMSM aged 17-24 and found that father-son relationships were perceived to be important sociocontextual influences in participants' lives. Participants discussed the degree of their fathers' involvement in their lives, emotional qualities of the father-son relationship, communication about sex, and masculine socialization. Participants also described pathways linking father-son relationships to HIV risk, which were mediated by psychological and situational risk scenarios. Our thematic analysis suggests that father-son relationships are important to the psychosocial development of YBMSM, with the potential to either exacerbate or attenuate sexual risk for HIV. Interventions designed to strengthen father-son relationships may provide a promising direction for future health promotion efforts in this population.

HIV information needs of parents of young men who have sex with men

“…It is important to examine and understand these needs because parents are considered the preferred source of health information among YMSM . A recent study found that positive parent–child relationships have the potential to attenuate YMSM's risk of contracting HIV …”

Contributions of Qualitative Research in Informing HIV/AIDS Interventions Targeting Black MSM in the United States

“…Without a cohesive community in which they could be engaged, BMSM are more likely to internalize negative views about same-sex behavior (Kraft et al, 2000; Stokes amp; Peterson, 1998), they may remain “hidden” and not disclose their homosexual behaviors and/or HIV status (Lichtenstein, 2008; Woodyard et al, 2000), and they may engage in unhealthy behaviors that can undermine HIV prevention (Mamary et al, 2007; Williams et al, 2004; Wilson amp; Moore, 2009). Given this, many of the studies reviewed here emphasized a focus on resilient aspects of BMSM’s social identities and lived experiences (Arnold amp; Bailey, 2009; Balaji et al, 2012; Hawkeswood, 1996; Hussen et al, 2014b; Jeffries et al, 2008) and the potential for creating communities that can foster resilience (Arnold amp; Bailey, 2009; Arrington-Sanders, Leonard, Brooks, Celentano amp; Ellen, 2013; LeGrand, Muessig, Pike, Baltierra, amp; Hightow-Weidman, 2014; Mamary et al, 2007). …”

The Role of Sexually Explicit Material in the Sexual Development of Same-Sex-Attracted Black Adolescent Males

“…Research has suggested that SSA Black youth are less likely to disclose their same-sex attraction to father figures and fathers may be more likely to have negative reactions to such disclosure (Cramer & Roach, 1988; Savin-Williams & Ream, 2003; Voisin, Bird, Shiu, & Krieger, 2013). One reason may be because father figures are likely to introduce heteronormative scripts to adolescents that further isolate them and may exacerbate or attenuate sexual risk behavior (Hussen et al, 2014). …”