Alcohol Use Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men

Abstract

This study reveals associations between alcohol use and demographic variables, as well as the relation between alcohol use and sexual activity, using episodic data. Data were obtained during summer and fall from a sample of 558 gay, bisexual, and other young men who have sex with men (YMSM), ages of 13–29 years in New York City. Recruitment strategies targeted potential participants at gay-related venues and public spaces often frequented by YMSM. Alcohol use varied by race/ethnicity, with White YMSM consuming significantly more alcohol than other races/ethnicities. Participants over the age of 21 drank significantly more alcohol than participants ages 13–20. Alcohol use was not found to be associated with sexual risk-taking activity. Our findings are enriched by a large, diverse sample of urban YMSM. Study limitations are noted.

RÉSUMÉ

La consommation d'alcool chez les jeunes hommes ayant des rapports sexuels avec les hommes

Cette étude révèle une association entre l'abus d alcool et certaines variables démographiques, ainsi qu’ une relation entre l'abus d'alcool et les pratiques sexuelles, en utilisant des données épisodiques. Ces données ont été obtenues durant l’été et l'automne à partir d'une population de 558 gays, bisexuels ou autre les jeunes hommes ayant des rapports sexuels avec les hommes, âgés de 13 a 29 ans a New York. Les stratégies de recrutement ciblaient les participants potentiels au sein d’événements gay, et de lieux publics fréquentés par un public les jeunes hommes ayant des rapports sexuels avec les hommes. Nous démontrons que la consommation d'alcool varie suivant la race ou l'ethnicité et que la consommation d alcool chez les blancs est significativement plus élèvées que chez les autres races/ethnicités. La consommation d'alcool chez les plus de 21ans est significativement plus élevées que chez les participants âgés de 13 a 20 ans. La consommation d'alcool n'est pas associée aux pratiques sexuelles à haut risque. Notre étude est supportée par une population de participants les jeunes hommes ayant des rapports sexuels avec les hommes nombreuse et diverse.

RESUMEN

El consumo de alcohol entre los jóvenes que tienen sexo con hombres

Este estudio revela asociaciones entre el uso de alcohol y las variables demográficas, así como la relación entre el uso de alcohol y las actividades sexuales, usando datos episódicos. Los datos fueron obtenidos durante el verano y el otoño del año de una muestra de 558 gay, bisexuales, y otros YMSM (siglas en inglés), en edades entre los 13–29 años en la ciudad de Nueva York. La estrategia de reclutamiento tuvo como objetivo atraer a participantes potenciales en lugares asociados a la comunidad gay y espacios públicos frecuentados por YMSM (siglas en inglés). El uso de alcohol varió en los grupos raciales y étnicos,los YMSM (siglas en inglés) blancos consumieron significativamente másalcohol que otras razas/etnias. Los participantes con más de 21 años bebieron significativamente más alcohol que los participantes entre los 13–20 años de edad. El uso de alcohol no estuvo asociado con actividades sexuales de toma de riesgo. Nuestros hallazgosse enriquecen por una gran y diversa muestra de YMSM (siglas en inglés) urbanos. El Proyecto Deseo fuefinanciado por el Departamento de Salud e Higiene Mental de la Ciudad de Nueva York (NYCDOHMH, por sus siglas en inglés).

Keywords :

• alcohol
• alcohol intoxication
• young men who have sex with men
• gay
• bisexual
• sexual risk-taking

THE AUTHORS

James A. Pollock, M.S.Ed, received his master's in Urban Childhood Education from Lehman College, City University of New York, after receiving his bachelor's in psychology from Kalamazoo College. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in counseling psychology at New York University. Mr. Pollock's research focuses on sexual behavior, negotiated safety, and the effects of environment/context on decision-making. His clinical focus is on sexual minority, affirmative individual, and couples' counseling. In addition, he specializes in addiction counseling and behavioral medicine. Mr. Pollock is currently a pre-doctoral intern at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston Consortium for Clinical Psychology.

Perry N. Halkitis, Ph.D, is an Associate Dean for Research and Doctoral Studies at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development and Professor of Applied Psychology, Public Health, and Medicine, and the Director of the Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies at the Steinhardt School of New York University. Dr. Halkitis is internationally recognized for his work examining the intersection between HIV, drug abuse, and mental health in LGBT populations, and is well known as one of the nation's leading experts on methamphetamine addiction and HIV behavioral research. His latest book, Methamphetamine Addiction: Biological Foundations, Psychological Factors, and Social Consequences, was published in 2009, and he is currently working on a new manuscript examining the life experiences of gay men who are long-term survivors of HIV/AIDS. Author of 125 peer-reviewed academic manuscripts, Dr. Halkitis' research examines how sexual and drug-related risk taking, as well as mental health are influenced by interpersonal, contextual, developmental, and cultural factors in the United States.

Robert W. Moeller, Ed.M., received a bachelor's degree in Human Development from Cornell University and his master's degree in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from New York University. Mr. Moeller has served as project director for Project MASC (Methamphetamine and Social Cognition), Project Desire, and Project 18 (P-18). His research focuses on HIV and substance use.

Todd M. Solomon, B.S., received a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Neuroscience from St. Lawrence University. He is currently a Ph.D. student in Applied Psychology at New York University and a NIH TL1 Research Fellow. His research interests are focused on neuropsychological and behavioral impairments stemming from HIV and substance use.

Staci C. Barton, B.A., received a bachelor's degree in Psychology and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Community and International Public Health from New York University. She is currently working as project coordinator for Project 18 (P-18). Her research interests include HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and other health and social disparities that affect ethnic and sexual minority groups.

Jaclyn Blachman-Forshay, B.S., received her bachelor's degree in Social Work from the Silver School of Social Work at New York University, and she is currently pursuing a master's in Public Health from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. Ms. Blachman-Forshay is a member of the research staff at CHIBPS. Her research interests include HIV prevention among vulnerable populations and living/coping with disease.

Daniel E. Siconolfi, M.P.H., received both his bachelor's degree in Gender & Sexuality Studies and Master's degree in Public Health from New York University. His research interests include gay men's health, HIV prevention, and gender & masculinity. He served as the assistant project director for Project Desire and currently serves as a Project Director for Project 18 (P18).

Hugh T. Love, M.A., received his master's degree in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness from New York University. He is currently a doctoral student in School Psychology at Fordham University. His research interests are focused on the mental health issues of minority adolescent males and sexual minorities, especially factors associated with sexual risk behaviors in these populations.

Notes

3 The reader is referred to Hills's criteria which were developed in order to help assist researchers and clinicians determine if risk factors were causes of a particular disease or outcomes or merely associated. Editor's note.