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Published on: December 9, 2015
Longitudinal study of relapse from AIDS-preventive behavior among homosexual men
R P Graham1, J P Kirscht, R C Kessler
1Department of Family Medicine, State University of New York, Buffalo 14215, USA. rgraham@ubmede.buffalo.edu
Summary
Understanding relapse from safer sex practices is crucial for AIDS prevention. Factors like stress and coping mechanisms influence behavior change in homosexual men, guiding targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) prevention remains paramount, with no viable alternatives to risk reduction strategies.
- Understanding factors that lead to relapse from safer sex behaviors is critical for effective AIDS prevention efforts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate personal traits, stress, mental health, life events, and coping strategies associated with relapse from safer sex practices in homosexual men.
- To identify factors influencing adherence to and relapse from receptive anal sex (RAS) and insertive anal sex (IAS) safer behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 524 homosexual men who practiced safer sex for at least 12 months.
- Data collected via interviews at 6-month intervals, assessing personal traits, stress, mental health, life events, and coping mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Negative life events, lower personal control beliefs, and problem-solving abilities were associated with relapse from RAS safer sex.
- Problem-focused coping strategies (e.g., seeking monogamy) were linked to sustained safer sex, while emotion-focused coping was less protective.
- These associations were less pronounced for insertive anal sex (IAS) safer behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Relapse from safer sex behaviors is influenced by psychological and social factors, particularly for receptive anal sex.
- Interventions should address life stressors, enhance personal control and problem-solving skills, and promote problem-focused coping strategies.
- Findings support the development of tailored individual and community-level interventions to improve sustained behavior change and reduce AIDS risk.
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