Black heterosexual college men’s masculinity dimensions, protective behavioral intentions, and sexual risk behaviors

Abstract

Objective

To examine the associations of dimensions of masculinity—respect/toughness and anti-femininity/hypersexuality—with sexual risk behaviors and protective behavioral intentions and the effects of awareness of anti-Blackness.

Participants

127 Black heterosexual men were recruited from four Historically Black Colleges and Universities and one Minority Serving Institution in the South.

Methods

Students completed an online survey as part of a pilot study to assess the sexual health needs of Black college students.

Results

Our results indicated that respect/toughness and anti-femininity/hypersexuality were significant correlates of protective behavioral intentions. After accounting for awareness of anti-Blackness and age, anti-femininity/hypersexuality was a significant correlate of sexual risk behaviors.

Conclusions

Our study highlights the complex multi-dimensional construct of masculinity and how forms of anti-Blackness continue to influence HIV vulnerability. Therefore, there is a need to include structural factors within research to better understand behaviors among Black college men and incorporate dimensions of masculinity that promote healthy sexual behaviors in interventions and programming.

Keywords:

• Masculinity
• Black college men
• anti-Blackness
• sexual risk
• protective behaviors

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Dr. Kelly Rulison for her assistance with data analysis and interpretation.

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States and received approval from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.

Availability of data and material

Data may be provided upon request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the UNC-Greensboro Health and Human Sciences Office of Research (Research Excellence Grant), UNC-Greensboro Health and Human Sciences Deans Office (Graduate Research Assistant Award), UNC-Greensboro Office of Research and Engagement (Faculty First Award), UNC-Greensboro Health and Human Sciences Office of Research (Top Off Funding Faculty Research Grant) and the Linda Arnold Carlisle Faculty Research Grant.