Intimacy, pleasure, risk, and safety: Discussion of Cheuvront's “high-risk sexual behavior in the treatment of HIV-negative patients”

Blechner, Mark J.

doi:10.1080/19359705.2002.9962314

Cited by 8 publications

(10 citation statements)

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“…Our findings complement those of other studies suggesting that intimacy is a powerful motive in sexual decision-making among gay and bisexual men [39]. Many gay and bisexual men report being reluctant to give up the sexual and emotional intimacy associated with unprotected sex [40, 41], and in one study of Latino gay men, participants reported that sex with condoms was incompatible with intimacy and trust [42]. To a large extent, HIV prevention messages themselves have contributed to the disassociation between condom use and interpersonal trust, telling gay men that they must use condoms specifically because they cannot trust their sexual partners’ HIV-status disclosures or commitments to monogamy.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…The desire for pleasure is believed to overwhelm or significantly interfere with calculations of risk, resulting in high-risk sexual behaviors. Among gay and bisexual men, pleasure-seeking has been reported by both receptive and insertive partners as a significant and pivotal variable within negotiations of condom use [19,20]. Although few educational, psychosocial or behavioral interventions have been developed that specifically focus on eroticization of condom use [21], meta-analysis suggests that those that do include an erotic component produce significant positive impacts on condom use [22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies of heterosexual partners have demonstrated that the use of condoms has relational significance; specifically, heterosexual partners report that the use of condoms may signify a lack of trust, a lack of emotional bond or a lack of intimacy during sex acts [16]. These relational factors, which can be considered examples of “intimacy interference” resulting from condom use, are also reported by gay, bisexual, and other MSM [19, 24, 25]. Evidence suggests that gay and bisexual men similarly view condoms as a barrier to intimacy, preventing the emotional experiences of closeness and bonding that are afforded by condomless sex [26–29]; however, the effect of relational variables on the use of condoms amongst gay and bisexual men has received scant attention in the literature; this may be due, in part, to stereotypic attitudes toward sexual behavior in this population—namely that relational elements are secondary or insignificant to gay or bisexual men.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Critical Role of Intimacy in the Sexual Risk Behaviors of Gay and Bisexual Men

et al. 2011

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Research indicates that high numbers of gay and bisexual men report infrequent or inconsistent condom use, placing them at risk for HIV and other STDs. The present study examined positive and negative condom-related attitudes along three dimensions—risk reduction, pleasure reduction, and intimacy interference—and examined their relative predictive power in determining condom use among a sample of sexually risky gay and bisexual men in New York City. In a multivariate model, both risk reduction and intimacy interference attitudes emerged as significant predictors of unprotected sex; however, the variance accounted for by a model including intimacy interference was almost three times that accounted for by a model including risk reduction alone. These data suggest a pivotal role for intimacy in shaping condom attitudes and behavior among gay and bisexual men. HIV prevention interventions should consider incorporating intimacy as a motivating factor for sexual behavior and a potential barrier to condom use.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Critical Role of Intimacy in the Sexual Risk Behaviors of Gay and Bisexual Men

et al. 2011

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“…In particular, the growing abuse of methamphetamine has been associated with unprotected sex (Benotsch, Kalichman, & Cage, 2002; Buchacz, McFarland, et al, 2005). The practice of intentional unprotected sex (aka “barebacking”) is another troubling trend among segments of the MSM population (Blechner, 2002). Additionally, optimism about HIV treatments, future HIV vaccines and other forms of HIV chemoprophylaxis may contribute to lower perceived risk (Newman, Duan, Rudy, & Anton, 2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual Risk Behavior has Decreased Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Los Angeles but Remains Greater than that Among Heterosexual Men and Women

Brooks¹,

Lee²,

Newman³

et al. 2008

AIDS Education and Prevention

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Sexual risk behavior has decreased among men who have sex with men in Los Angeles but remains greater than that among heterosexual men and women Surveys, a population-based telephone survey, were analyzed to examine the association of sociodemographic and health-related factors with sexual risk behaviors among the three groups. In each time period, MSM reported a significantly greater percentage of sexual risk (i.e., both inconsistent condom use and multiple sex partners in the past 12 months) compared with heterosexual men and women. Multivariate analyses indicated that MSM and heterosexual men reported greater sexual risk than heterosexual women. Respondents who were younger, U.S. born, reported heavy alcohol consumption, or had been tested for HIV in the past 24 months were more likely to report sexual risk behavior. The findings suggest the need for continued targeted prevention for MSM and prevention efforts for segments of the general population at elevated risk for HIV.In the United States HIV continues to disproportionately impact men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly when compared with heterosexual men and women. Recent data indicate that the incidence of new HIV infections and AIDS diagnoses among MSM continues to vastly exceed those of heterosexual men and women (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2007). Nationally, MSM make up the largest proportion (39%) of new infections, compared with 5% and 12% for 312

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“…A recent review of the barebacking literature (Berg, 2009) shows that although there are articles on possible HIV-risk reduction approaches, such as psychodynamic psychotherapy (Blechner, 2002; Cheuvrant, 2002) or Motivational Interviewing (Parsons, 2005; Shernoff, 2006), and researchers have recommended public health and harm reduction interventions for this population (Adam, et al, 2005; Grov, 2006; Parsons & Bimbi, 2006; Suarez & Miller, 2001), to date there are no studies aimed at developing or testing interventions whose aim is to reduce HIV risk behavior among this very high-risk population.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex with Men and Who Bareback Concerned About HIV Infection? Implications for HIV Risk Reduction Interventions

et al. 2012

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The emergence of barebacking (intentional unprotected anal intercourse in situations where there is risk of HIV infection) among men who have sex with men (MSM) has been partially attributed to a decrease in HIV-related concerns due to improved anti-retroviral treatment. It is important to understand the level of concern these men have regarding HIV infection because it can affect their interest in risk reduction behaviors as well as their possible engagement in risk reduction interventions. As part of a study on MSM who use the Internet to seek sexual partners, 89 ethnic and racially diverse men who reported never having an HIV-positive test result completed an in-depth qualitative interview and a computer-based quantitative assessment. Of the 82 men who were asked about concerns of HIV infection during the qualitative interviews, 30 expressed “significant concern” about acquiring HIV, while 42 expressed “moderate concern,” and 10 expressed “minimal concern. Themes that emerged across the different levels of concern were their perceptions of the severity of HIV infection, having friends who are HIV positive, and their own vulnerability to HIV infection. However, these themes differed depending on the level of concern. Among the most frequently mentioned approaches to decrease risk of HIV infection, participants mentioned avoiding HIV-positive sex partners, limiting the number of partners with whom they barebacked, and not allowing partners to ejaculate inside their rectum. Findings suggest that many MSM who bareback would be amenable to HIV prevention efforts that do not depend solely on condom use.

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Intimacy, pleasure, risk, and safety: Discussion of Cheuvront's “high-risk sexual behavior in the treatment of HIV-negative patients”

Cited by 8 publications

References 0 publications

The Critical Role of Intimacy in the Sexual Risk Behaviors of Gay and Bisexual Men

The Critical Role of Intimacy in the Sexual Risk Behaviors of Gay and Bisexual Men

Sexual Risk Behavior has Decreased Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Los Angeles but Remains Greater than that Among Heterosexual Men and Women

Are HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex with Men and Who Bareback Concerned About HIV Infection? Implications for HIV Risk Reduction Interventions

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