Sexual partnerships, risk behaviors, and condom use among low-income heterosexual African Americans: A qualitative study

Seth M. Noar, Elizabeth Webb, Stephanie Van Stee, Sonja Feist-Price, Richard Crosby, Jessica Fitts Willoughby, Adewale Troutman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

Thepurpose of the current investigationwas to contextualize the sexual relationships and risk behaviors of heterosexually activeAfricanAmericans.Atotal of38participants (20 females and 18males) aged 18-44 yearswere recruited in a large city in the southeastern U.S. to participate in focus group discussions exploring sexual partnerships, general condomperceptions, and condom negotiation. Results indicated that participants distinguished among at least three partner types-one-night stand, "regular " casual partner, and main partner. Partner types were found to shape and influence types of sexual behaviors, perceptions of risk and condom use, and condom negotiation. Participants also shared general perceptions about condoms and elucidated situations in which intentions to use condoms were not realized. Gender differences emerged inmany of these areas. Implications of thesefindingsarediscussedanddirections for future researchonsexual partnerships and risk behavior are offered.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)959-970
Number of pages12
JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior
Volume41
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2012

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Acknowledgments This project was funded by Grant # R34-MH077507 from the National Institute of Mental Health (Principal Investigator: Seth M. Noar). We would like to thank Dana Seay, Chandra Williams, and Deborah Washburn for their contributions to and support of this project.

Funding

Acknowledgments This project was funded by Grant # R34-MH077507 from the National Institute of Mental Health (Principal Investigator: Seth M. Noar). We would like to thank Dana Seay, Chandra Williams, and Deborah Washburn for their contributions to and support of this project.

FundersFunder number
National Institute of Mental HealthR34MH077507
National Institute of Mental Health

    Keywords

    • African Americans
    • Condom use
    • HIV prevention
    • Partner type
    • Relationship
    • Sexual behavior

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
    • General Psychology

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