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Abstract
Many gay men engage in unsafe sex, despite awareness of AIDS risk. Although prevention efforts recommend virtual elimination of risk, some men instead engage in “calculated” risk-taking. Using cluster analysis, 90 men were grouped according to sexual sensation-seeking, sexual control, and pleasure ratings of three sexual behaviors. Three clusters were compared on frequency and pleasure associated with sexual behaviors, substance use, and reasons for both resisting and lapsing into unsafe behavior. The cluster characterized by high anal pleasure and high sensation-seeking reported more safer sex and the highest AIDS knowledge-but also the greatest number of partners and unprotected anal acts. The subgroup characterized by less pleasure from sexual behaviors and lower sensation-seeking had lower AIDS knowledge and was more likely to yield to partner pressure. Results suggest that AIDS prevention for gay men should be tailored to behavior preferences, sensation-seeking level, and risk tolerance.