Predictors of Sexual Risk in Latino Gay/Bisexual Men: The Role of Demographic, Developmental, Social Cognitive, and Behavioral Variables

Abstract

This study examined four types of predictors of sexual risk within a sample of 110 predominantly English-speaking Latino gay/bisexual men residing in the city of San Francisco. More than one fourth of the sample reported at least one instance of unprotected anal intercourse in the last 30 days; one fifth of the sample reported unprotected anal intercourse with a nonmonogamous sexual partner within the same time period. Findings suggest that weak personal intentions for safer sex and low levels of perceived selfefficacy are associated with risky sexual practices. In addition, a history of sexual abuse in childhood, drug use during sexual activity, and frequency of sex in public cruising environments emerged as significant predictors of sexual risk. Multivariate analyses indicated that a four-predictor model (including a young age, low levels of intention/self-efficacy, a high frequency of sex under the influence of drugs, and a high frequency of sex with nonmonogamous partners) is the most parsimonious model to predict sexual risk in this population. A history of childhood sexual abuse correlated positively with all predictors of risk in the model, except age.In five different studies of gay/bisexual men in the United States, Latinos have reported the highest rates of sexual risk behavior, even when compared

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender immigrant acculturation experience

“…There is evidence that LGBT immigrants belonging to certain racial or ethnic groups are at particularly high risk for HIV/AIDS; cultural variables, according to Yoshikawa and colleagues, play an important role in determining the risk profile of a particular ethnic or racial group. For example, the annual AIDS rate for Latino gay men is on average 3-4 times higher than in Whites (Jarama et al, 2005;Poppen et al, 2004), which can probably be attributed to the fact that Latinos report the highest rates of unprotected anal intercourse compared to any other racial or ethnic group (Diaz et al, 1999). While the prevalence of mental health disorders, which quite often lead to risky sexual behaviours, tends to be lower among Latino immigrants (Cochran et al, 2007), in the case of Latino gay men, high rates of unprotected sex are often attributed to a cultural variable called "machismo" (Jarama et al, 2005).…”

“…For example, as was discussed earlier, substance use is considered to be an important factor related to having unprotected anal intercourse, as LGBT immigrants often resort to substance use in order to counteract the effect of internalized homophobia (Choi et al, 2005). Finally, while frequent sex with casual partners is most often associated with risky sexual behaviour, Diaz et al (1999) argued that immigrants in committed sexual relationships are another group at risk: the highest rates of unprotected sex are reported for LGBT immigrants who are in primary sexual relationships. Due to interpersonal factors associated with romantic relationships, LGBT immigrants quite often have unrealistic perceptions of safety within relationships.…”

“…In light of multiple difficulties facing LGBT immigrants, including challenges integrating sexual identity within culturally-defined immigrant environments, most LGBT immigrants report being constantly fearful of rejection and feeling bad about themselves, which results in a wide range of mental health issues including depression, suicidal ideation, substance abuse, eating disorders, and high risk sexual behaviours (Acevedo, 2008;Ayala & Diaz, 2001;Bianchi et al, 2004;Breslau et al, 2006;Carballo-Dieguez, 1989;Carballo-Dieguez & Dolezal, 1995;Carballo-Dieguez et al, 1997;Choi et al, 2002;Cochran et al, 2007;Diaz, 1997Diaz, , 1998Diaz et al, 1999;Domanico & Crawford, 2000;Dube & Savin-Williams, 1999;Jarama et al, 2005;Marin, 1996;Mason et al, 1995;RamirezValles et al, 2005;Ramírez et al, 1994;Van Oss-Marin, 2003;Zea et al, 2004;Zwiers, 2009). …”

“…Research has identified four important types of predictors of risky sexual behaviours that undermine LGBT immigrants' ability to engage in safer sex: demographic, developmental, social-cognitive, and behavioural (Diaz et al, 1999;Zea, Reisen, Poppen, & Bianchi, 2009). The demographic profile associated with risky sexual behaviours among LGBT immigrants, according to Ramirez et al (2004), can be characterized by the following set of attributes:…”

“…The developmental predictor associated with risky sexual behaviours (e.g., the practice of unprotected sex) among LGBT immigrants tends to be a history of childhood sexual abuse, according to Ramirez and colleagues. The social cognitive factors responsible for risky sexual practices include low levels of perceived self-efficacy, weak personal intentions for safer sex, and lower perceptions of peer norms in regard to safer sex (Diaz et al, 1999). In terms of behavioural predictors, sexual recklessness, which can be characterized by lack of interest for self-protection/preservation, along with use of drugs during sexual activity, and frequent sex with casual partners, tends to be responsible for risky sexual behaviours, according to Diaz and colleagues.…”