The Relationship Among Sexual Compulsivity, Internalized Homophobia, and HIV At-Risk Sexual Behavior in Gay and Bisexual Male Users of Internet Chat Rooms

Abstract

Methods in which gay and bisexual males are developing sexual networks have changed due to the anonymity and accessibility of the Internet. In this article, the relationship among sexual compulsivity, internalized homophobia, and HIV at-risk sexual behavior in non-heterosexual male users of Internet chat rooms is examined. The Compulsive Sexual Behavior Inventory was used to trichotomize the sample (n = 513) for comparative purposes. Results from the data analysis indicated that higher levels of internalized homophobia were associated with greater frequency of sexual compulsivity. Increased incidents of sexual compulsivity also were found in bisexual respondents. High-risk sexual behavior was prevalent among participants from both Moderate Sexual Compulsive and Sexual Compulsive groups.