Jack’d dating application motivations, experiences, and sexual risk behaviors: a qualitative pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: Little is known about geosocial networking dating application use among young Black gay and bisexual men (YBGBM), a group severely affected by HIV in the United States. The purpose of this study was to explore: (1) How YBGBM describe motivations to use Jack’d; (2) How YBGBM describe and experience meeting romantic-sexual partners on Jack’d, including partner preferences and offline sexual encounters; and (3) How these descriptions and experiences reflect sexual risk behaviors?

Methods: Between April and July 2015, we conducted 23 face-to-face semistructured interviews with self-identified Black gay (n = 15) and bisexual (n = 8) men (21–25 years) (M = 23.48, SD = 1.5) in Washington, DC. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis methodology.

Results: Motivations to use Jack’d included discomfort and challenges meeting men in open/public spaces that may lead to homophobic violence. Nearly half articulated distrust of HIV-negative disclosure from their Jack'd-met partner. Some participants reported inconsistent condom use when the insertive partner in anal sex, and several perceived Jack’d-met partners their own age to be less concerned about HIV than older men.

Conclusion: HIV prevention strategies directed toward YBGBM should consider the role dating applications may play in either exacerbating or attenuating sexual risk.

Keywords:

• African American
• bisexual
• culture
• gay
• HIV prevention
• masculinity
• technology

Acknowledgements

At the time of the study, Sabrina L. Smiley and Sherry C. Wang were Scholars with the HIV/AIDS, Substance Abuse, and Trauma Training Program (HA-STTP), at the University of California, Los Angeles; supported through an award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (R25DA035692). We are especially grateful to the men who participated in this study. Their candor about their experiences and lives is invaluable to this work. We would also like to thank Mr. Travis Wise for his commitment to the study.

Notes on contributors

Sabrina L. Smiley, PhD, MPH, MCHES, is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Preventive Medicine at USC Keck School of Medicine. She received her Ph.D. in Sociology from Howard University, and her M.P.H. in Health Behavior from UAB School of Public Health. Her research focuses on mixed methods analysis and health disparities, with an emphasis on addiction risk in young adults, African Americans, and Tribal communities.

Sherry C. Wang, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling Psychology at Santa Clara University. She received her MA and PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her BA in Psychology from Smith College. Her research interests are focused on the sociocultural determinants of ethnic minority health disparities. She draws from qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research approaches to conduct culturally-congruent research with diverse populations.

Elexis C. Kierstead, BS, is currently working towards her master's degree in Public Health concentrating in Epidemiology at the George Washington University Milken Institute of Public Health. Kierstead is currently employed at Truth Initiative's Schroeder Institute in Washington, DC where she contributes to research on tobacco control policy. Her research interests lie in the intersection between health, substance use and racial and sexual minority populations.

Alisa Smiley-Dower, EdD, is a Behavioral Interventionist for the Selma City School District in Selma, Alabama. She received her Ed.D. in Counseling Psychology from the Argosy University. Her research interests include social emotional learning practices, the impact of parental involvement on student academic achievement, teacher emotional support, student self-efficacy, and personalized behavioral interventions among at risk students.

Alison B. Hamilton, PhD, MPH, is a Research Anthropologist in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, and Chief Officer of Implementation & Policy at the VA Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation, & Policy. She received her Ph.D. in Anthropology from UCLA, and her M.P.H. in Community Health Sciences from UCLA. Her research focuses on women's health, mental health, and implementation science.

Norweeta G. Milburn, PhD, is a Professor-in-Residence in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the UCLA Semel Institute Nathanson Family Resilience Center in the Division of Population Behavioral Health. She received her Ph.D. in Community Psychology from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor). Her research interests include homelessness, substance abuse, mental health and family-based behavioral interventions for high risk adolescents (e.g., homeless, juvenile-justice involved, etc.).