Risk Bases in Childhood and Adolescence Among HIV-Negative Young Adult Gay and Bisexual Male Barebackers

ABSTRACT

We sought to consider the phenomenon of intentional unprotected intercourse, known colloquially as barebacking, with regard to identities that gay men develop as barebackers and the developmental bases that may predispose some men to this identity. As part of a larger study, we analyzed the life history interviews of 12 diverse HIV-negative men in early adulthood, using thematic coding procedures to identify events, conditions, and emotional states in childhood and adolescence that might help to explain why uninfected young men might place themselves at risk for HIV seroconversion. These analyses elicited various risk bases in childhood and adolescence, including early sexual experiences, pronounced experimentation with and abuse of drugs and alcohol, feelings of loneliness, a lack of love relationships despite sexual activity, and early experiences of loss. These findings suggest a complex interplay between emotional factors and life events, which may help to explain these men as sexual risk takers.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV
• barebacking
• gay men
• development
• drug and alcohol use

Perry N. Halkitis, PhD, is Director, Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies (CHIBPS), Professor of Applied Psychology and Public Health, New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.

Kristen A. Barlup was Intern at the Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies (CHIBPS) at the time this manuscript was prepared.

This research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse Contract No. R01DA13798-04S1.