Is Guardian Permission a Barrier to Online Sexual Health Research Among Adolescent Males Interested in Sex With Males?

Abstract

Institutional review boards (IRBs) that refuse to grant waivers of guardian permission may hinder research to inform needed online sexual health interventions for adolescent males interested in sex with males (AMSM). Information on the challenges of obtaining (or waiving) guardian permission is imperative. In June and July 2017, AMSM (N = 206; ages 14 to 17) in the United States completed an online survey on sexual behaviors, sexually explicit media use, and sexual education exposure/needs. A mixed-methods approach assessed attitudes toward guardian permission for the current survey and future online sexual health intervention research. Logistic regression models assessed differences by “outness” to a guardian. A framework matrix analysis was conducted to summarize, then aggregate, qualitative responses. Findings indicated that most AMSM would not participate if guardian permission was required (current: 83%; future: 87%). Youth who were not out were more likely to say they would not participate (current: adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2 to 6.8); future: AOR = 4.7, 95% CI: 1.6 to 13.5). Participants reported that guardian permission would be an invasion of their privacy, lead to involuntary outing, and endanger participants. Overall, guardian permission appears to be a barrier to AMSM participation in online sexual health research. Investigators and IRBs should consider alternative practices and policies to facilitate such research.

Funding and Acknowledgments

We would like to thank our research assistant, Jaime Ramirez. Funding for the study came from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (R25 DA031608) and the National Institute of Mental Health (K23 MH109346). The content of this publication is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health: [Grant Number K23MH109346]; National Institute on Drug Abuse: [Grant Number R25DA031608].