285914
Partner-level risk factors for interpersonal violence in young male same-sex relationships
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
: 1:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Michael E. Newcomb, Ph.D.,
Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
Brian Mustanski, PhD,
Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
Background: Little data exists on interpersonal violence (IPV) in young male same-sex couples, but research indicates that IPV has a profound impact on the health of young men who have sex with men (YMSM). IPV contributes to both mental health problems and unprotected sex with partners. Methods: Two longitudinal cohorts of YMSM (ages 16-20 baseline) were used for analyses: Project Q2 (N = 118; 3.5 years follow-up) and Crew 450 (N= 450; 18-month follow-up). Participants reported characteristics of their 3 most recent sexual partners during the 6 months before each assessment, including experiences with IPV and relationship factors. Analyses were conducted using Hierarchical Linear Modeling. Results: Compared to White participants, Black participants had higher odds of IPV in both cohorts (ORs = 3.24, 4.22, p < .05). In Crew 450, Latino (OR = 4.43, p < .001) and Other race (OR = 5.77, p < .001) participants also had higher odds of IPV. In both cohorts, IPV was more likely in serious compared to casual relationships (ORs = 3.72, 3.67, p < .001) and when participant reported their partners were having sex with others (ORs = 1.82, 1.31, p < .05). Drinking before sex was associated with higher odds of IPV in Crew 450 (OR = 1.42, p < .01). Conclusions: Several partner-level factors were associated with experiencing IPV, including being in serious relationships, having sex outside relationships, and alcohol use. These are important targets for couples-based interventions that may have an important impact on emotional, physical and sexual health.
Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Describe partner-level predictors of interpersonal violence in two cohorts of young men who have sex with men.
Examine similarities and differences in predictors of interpersonal violence across samples.
Provide recommendations for couples-based interventions to improve the emotional, physical and sexual health of young men who have sex with men.
Keyword(s): Gay Men, Domestic Violence
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Social Sciences at Northwestern University and a Research Scientist in the IMPACT LGBT Health and Development Program. I have received funding as principal investigator from the National Institutes of Health and the Chicago Department of Public Health, and I have contributed as a research scientist to multiple NIH- and CDC-funded projects addressing various aspects of HIV prevention and LGBT health.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
