Partner Gender Research Articles

Examining Sexual Behavior Among U.S. Transgender Adolescents

ABSTRACT The health of transgender adolescents (i.e., those identifying with a gender other than their sex assigned at birth) is gaining attention from researchers, yet little work has examined normative sexual behaviors among this population. Self-identified gender minority adolescents, including those identifying as trans boys, trans girls, nonbinary, and questioning their gender identity (age range 14–18, M age = 16, n = 1,223) from all 50 U.S. states responded to anonymous online surveys. Participants reported on their age of initiation and number of sexual partners for four sexual behaviors ranging in intimacy (i.e., sexual touching, oral sex, vaginal sex, and anal sex). Participants also indicated the gender of their sexual partners and experiences with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), STI tests, and pregnancy. Overall, transgender adolescents’ age of initiating sexual behaviors and number of sexual partners are similar to those observed in prior studies of cisgender adolescents. No differences were found between gender identity subgroups on ever engaging, age of initiation, number of partners, and gender of partners across the four sexual behaviors, with some exceptions for anal sex. Participants reported low rates of STIs and pregnancy, but also low rates of STI testing. Implications for sex education and health care are discussed.

Sexually Transmitted Infection/HIV Testing Among Medicaid/Children's Health Insurance Program-Insured Enrollees Aged 15 to 60 Years Who Were Diagnosed With High-Risk Sexual Behaviors With Their Opposite-Sex or Same-Sex Partners.

There is a lack of information on high-risk sexual behaviors (HRSB) related to gender of sex partner and associated sexually transmitted infection (STI)/HIV testing among Medicaid enrollees. We used the 2016 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicaid claims data to identify enrollees aged 15 to 60 years with HRSB by International Classification of Disease, Tenth Revision codes (Z72.51, Z72.52, and Z72.53). Enrollees diagnosed with HRSB were classified into 2 groups:(1) with same-sex partners and (2) with opposite-sex partners. The date when the initial diagnosis for HRSB was documented was used to define as the index date. We assessed chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV testing on the index date, in the 6-month period before and after the index date (excluded the index date). HIV testing was limited to enrollees without documented HIV infection. Of 50 million Medicaid enrollees aged 15 to 60 years, 1.2% were identified as enrollees with HRSB in 2016. Of those enrollees with HRSB, 2.7% were enrollees with same-sex partners and 0.71% had documented HIV infection. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV testing rates were 82.4%, 81.9%, 33.2%, and 44.3%, respectively, at the index date. The chlamydia testing rate was ≥90% among enrollees who resided in the West compared with 53% to 61% across other regions. HIV testing was more likely among males and among those with same-sex partners. Sexually transmitted infection/HIV testing was <30% in the 6-month periods before and after the index date. Among Medicaid enrollees with HRSB, STI/HIV testing varied regionally. Many enrollees were not tested for STI/HIV at the index visit in which they were identified as HRSB.

Differences in Factors Associated With High- and Low-Risk Oral Human Papillomavirus Genotypes in Men.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes oral warts and oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). Human papillomavirus-attributable OPC incidence among men is significantly increasing worldwide, yet few studies have reported oral HPV across multiple countries or examined factors associated with low- and high-risk HPV separately. Oral gargles from 3095 men in the multinational HPV Infection in Men (HIM) Study were HPV genotyped. Multivariable models assessed factors independently associated with high-risk and low-risk HPV prevalence. The prevalence of high-risk and low-risk HPV was 6.0% and 2.8%, respectively. Greater number of sexual partners was only associated with high-risk HPV (1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22-2.90) prevalence. In multivariable models, residing in Mexico (1.66; 95% CI, 1.15-2.40) and smoking (1.66; 95% CI, 1.13-2.44) were significantly associated with high-risk HPV, and history of consistent gum bleeding (2.16; 95% CI, 1.35-3.45) was significantly associated with low-risk HPV. Gender of the sexual partner did not alter the results for either high- or low-risk HPV endpoints. Different factors were independently associated with high- and low-risk oral HPV. Oral sexual behaviors were associated with high-risk HPV, and oral health was associated with low-risk HPV. High-risk HPV prevalence differed by country of residence, highlighting the need for additional studies in multiple countries.

Initial examination of social compensation and honing frameworks for sexual minority social life and well-being

The present study used an ecologically-valid approach to address the lack of understanding of similarities and differences in social network size and social interaction quality, and links to affect, among same- and different-gender couples. People in couples who self-identified as a woman with a woman ( n = 48), man with a man ( n = 40), woman with a man ( n = 33), and man with a woman ( n = 33) completed a single measure of social network size, and momentary assessments of social interaction quality and affect throughout their days over two weekends. Women reported lower interaction quality, less positive, and more negative affect (actor effects); similar results were also found for those who were partnered with a woman (partner effects). However, results showed an interaction of actor and partner gender, such that people in different-gender couples experienced lower interaction quality, less positive, and more negative affect than same-gender couples. Overall, results provide preliminary evidence of a honing framework, where people in same-gender couples hone their social networks down to high-quality interaction partners, more than people in different-gender couples, and experience similar links between social interactions and affect compared to people in different-gender couples.

Who Gets to Have a Life? Agency in Work-Life Balance for Single Faculty

ABSTRACT Faculty members with families face well-documented challenges in managing the demands of work and life. However, we know less about the experiences of single faculty members. Using agency as a theoretical framework, we assessed whether faculty members have different experiences in enacting agency in work-life balance based on their partner status, gender, and rank. We found single faculty members, particularly single, women associate professors, felt less agency in their ability to balance work and life than their partnered peers. We offer policy recommendations for institutions to more equitably support all faculty members in negotiating work-life challenges.

Female Audit Partners and Extended Audit Reporting: UK Evidence

This study investigates whether audit partner gender is associated with the extent of auditor disclosure and the communication style regarding risks of material misstatements that are classified as key audit matters (KAMs). Using a sample of UK firms during the 2013–2017 period, our results suggest that female audit partners are more likely than male audit partners to disclose more KAMs with more details after controlling for both client and audit firm attributes. Furthermore, female audit partners are found to use a less optimistic tone and provide less readable audit reports, compared to their male counterparts, suggesting that behavioural variances between female and male audit partners may have significant implications on their writing style. Therefore, this study offers new insights on the role of audit partner gender in extended audit reporting. Our findings have important implications for audit firms, investors, policymakers and governments in relation to the development, implementation and enforcement of gender diversity.

HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Sexual Practices Among Male Sex Workers Attending a Sexual Health Clinic in Melbourne, Australia: 2010 to 2018.

There are limited data on HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) positivity and sexual practices among male sex workers (MSWs) both globally and particularly in Australia. This study aimed to explore demographic characteristics, sexual practices, and HIV/STI positivity among MSWs attending a sexual health clinic in Melbourne. We analyzed computerized medical records of all first-visit consultations with men 18 years or older who self-identified as current sex workers and attended the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) between 2010 and 2018. Demographic data, sexual behavior data, and laboratory results for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea were collected as part of routine clinical care at Melbourne Sexual Health Centre. Of the 190 MSWs included in the analysis, the median age was 28 years (interquartile range, 23-30 years), 30.4% (52/171) reported having condomless penile-anal sex with their clients, and 59.6% (102/171) reported having condomless penile-oral sex with their clients since their last STI screening. Most (85.6%) MSWs had noncommercial sex partners, including 56.5% with male partners only, 30.6% with female partners only, and 12.9% with both. Approximately half of MSWs used condoms consistently with noncommercial sex partners (regardless of partner gender). The positivity for incident HIV was 1.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0%-5.0%), that for syphilis was 6.1% (95% CI, 2.6%-10.5%), that for chlamydia was 9.6% (95% CI, 5.6%-14.9%), and that for gonorrhea was 10.8% (95% CI, 4.4%-20.9%). Male sex workers who exclusively had sex with women had a lower any HIV/STI positivity (0%) compared with MSW who had sex with men (15.7%; P = 0.013). Male sex workers fall into 2 groups: those who had male clients and/or noncommercial partners who have a relatively high HIV/STI positivity and those who only had female partners or clients whose HIV/STI positivity is low. Both have a high proportion of condomless sex with clients and noncommercial sex partners. Strategies to increase condom use during sex work are needed.

To Use or Not to Use?: A Mixed Methods Study on Predictors and Barriers of Condom Use Among College Students

Unprotected anal sex is one of the highest-risk sexual behaviors associated with high rates of STIs. College students often engage in sexual risky behaviors without consistently using condoms. This study examined predictors of condom use among students who engaged in anal sex (n = 242) at an American Southeastern university. Using a convergent research design, researchers used both quantitative and qualitative data to answer the research question. The quantitative data showed that partner communication and gender were statistically significant predictors of condom use. Qualitative results indicated the importance of communication between partners and knowledge of a partner’s HIV status. Qualitative data also revealed that experiential attitudes are an important factor of condom non-use in anal sex. Merged results illustrated that students tend not to use condoms during anal sex overall and the importance of communication between partners.

Predictive Variables of Faculty Retention in the Counselor Education Field: A Gender Perspective

Faculty, especially women faculty, continue to leak from the academic pipeline. Considering the costs related to faculty turnover, researchers have recommended continued exploration of faculty experiences with occupational satisfaction and retention. Accordingly, utilizing quantitative methodology and content analysis, the authors examined the reported experiences of 218 professors in the Counselor Education field. Predictive variables related to faculty retention were identified. These variables included lack of support from administration, lack of support from colleagues, having to work harder than colleagues to be taken seriously, gender, and partner job status. Data also revealed significant differences between gender and partner job status, gender and workload variables, and gender and retention variables. These results provide information on the experiences of both men and women faculty, and highlight gender inequities in higher education.

Reward interventions: A strategy to Erode social inequality?

Decades of research illuminates how status beliefs about socially significant characteristics, like gender, fundamentally alter expectations about individual's competence and worth. This process biases opportunity structures and resource distributions, thereby recreating social inequalities in a self-fulfilling fashion. Many social and organizational policies attempt to reduce inequality by increasing disadvantaged groups' access to valued rewards, such as prestigious alma maters, awards, and valued positions. In addition to meaningfully increasing resources, the status these rewards convey should also theoretically increase the status of the particular people who come to possess them. To know whether inversions to reward structures reduce social inequality, however, we must first demonstrate that the status value of rewards alone is an effective intervention. In an experimental test of interventions to gender status inequality, reward markers with relatively higher or lower status value were consistently or inconsistently associated with the gender of the participants' task partners. Results indicate that rewards intervened in the groups' gendered status hierarchy as participants were more likely to be influenced by their partners' rewards than their gender.

Minority Stressors and Identity Affirmation as Predictors of Condomless Sex Among Self-Identified Bisexual Men: The Role of Partner Gender.

Bisexual men are at increased risk for HIV/STI and early pregnancy involvement compared to heterosexual men, and minority stressors (e.g., enacted and internalized stigma) are associated with sexual risk behavior in samples of gay and bisexual men. However, few studies have specifically focused on bisexual men, and little is known about the unique predictors of sexual risk behavior in this population. Further, few studies have focused on positive sexual orientation-related factors such as identity affirmation, which may be protective against sexual risk behavior. As such, the goals of the current study were to examine minority stressors and identity affirmation as predictors of condomless sex among self-identified bisexual men, and whether these associations differed as a function of partner gender. We used four waves of data spanning 24months from a subset of self-identified bisexual men in a larger cohort of gay and bisexual men ages 16-29 years at enrollment. At each wave, participants reported on up to four partners, allowing us to examine within-person associations. We used mixed effects negative binomial models to examine the associations between our predictors (discrimination, internalized binegativity, and identity affirmation) and condomless sex acts. In addition, we tested whether partner gender moderated each of the associations by including interaction effects in each of the models. Results indicated that higher levels of internalized binegativity and lower levels of identity affirmation were associated with less condomless sex with female partners, but they were not associated with condomless sex with male partners. Discrimination was not associated with condomless sex with male or female partners. These findings suggest that predictors of condom use among self-identified bisexual men differ as a function of partner gender, and they highlight the need to identify strategies to promote sexual health while also supporting positive identity development in this population.

Epidemiologic Treatment for Contacts to Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis Infection in Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic Patients in Seattle, WA; 1994 to 2018.

Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines recommend that clinicians empirically treat the sex partners of persons with Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) or Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection before confirming that they are infected. It is possible that this practice, known as epidemiologic treatment, results in overtreatment for uninfected persons and may contribute to development of antimicrobial resistance. We sought to quantify the number of patients who received epidemiologic treatment and the proportion of those who were overtreated. We reviewed records from a municipal sexually transmitted disease clinic in Seattle, WA, from 1994 to 2018 to identify visits by asymptomatic patients seeking care because of sexual contact to a partner with GC and/or CT. We defined overtreatment as receipt of antibiotic(s) in the absence of a positive GC/CT test result and calculated the proportions of contacts epidemiologically treated and tested positive for GC/CT and overtreated in five 5-year periods stratified by sex and gender of sex partner. We used the Cochran-Armitage test to assess for temporal trends. The number of asymptomatic contacts epidemiologically treated for GC/CT increased from 949 to 3159 between the 1994-1998 and 2014-2018 periods. In 2014-2018, 55% of persons were overtreated, most (82.1%) of these were men who have sex with men (MSM). The proportion of MSM overtreated decreased from 74% to 65% (P < 0.01), but the total number of overtreated MSM increased from 172 to 1428. A high proportion of persons receiving epidemiologic treatment of GC/CT are uninfected. The current practice of routinely treating all sex partners of persons with GC/CT merits reconsideration in light of growing antimicrobial resistance.

Partner Gender Differences in Prestige of Clients Served at the Largest U.S. Audit Firms

Despite tremendous investment to promote gender equity, U.S. public accounting firms continue to be gendered organizations. Our archival study examines gender equity within the partnership of these large firms for a one-year period. We find female partners are clustered in lower prestige client types including investment funds, benefit plans, and single audits, rather than higher prestige public company clients. Second, we consider whether there is gender bias in prestige of client served by female partners who lead public company audits. In these tests of those individuals who have already achieved the partnership and lead public company audits, we find no evidence of bias. This research contributes to the understanding of gender bias in U.S. public accounting firms and helps inform the societal narrative on where women continue to be marginalized even when they have achieved the highest levels in an organization.

It's not age that prevents sexual activity later in life.

ObjectiveTo describe key factors that facilitate sexual behaviour in later life.MethodsRe‐analysis of data from a study of 2,374 Dutch older adults.ResultsPartner availability, gender and health are likely to be more important factors influencing sexual behaviour engagement than the factor of age in later life. Lack of partner availability, traditional gender roles and poor health are associated with older age. However, current generations of older adults will be more capable, less ashamed of their sexual desires and engage in more sexual behaviour than prior generations.ConclusionThis analysis observed that sexual activity is associated with partner availability and better health, rather than age, countering stereotypes of decline in sexual behaviour and normalising sexual activity and desire in later life.

Partner engagement and patients’ receipt of colorectal cancer surveillance.

e19106 Background: Over 50% of survivors of colorectal cancer do not receive guideline-concordant surveillance. In light of growing recognition that members of couples influence each other’s health behaviors, we sought to describe partner engagement in surveillance and evaluate associations between partner engagement and patient receipt of surveillance. Methods: In 2019 we surveyed patients who, in 2014-18, underwent resection of Stage III colorectal cancer and were seen at a community oncology practice, an academic cancer center, or reported to Georgia SEER (current RR 46%). Patients gave a separate survey to their partner. 254 partners (68% RR) completed surveys. Using existing measures, we assessed 3 partner-reported elements of engagement: 1) informed about surveillance; 2) involved (extent of and satisfaction with) in surveillance; 3) aware of patients’ values/preferences. Each measure was scored on a continuous scale with higher scores indicating greater engagement. We assessed patient receipt of surveillance by patient-report of receipt of CEA blood test, imaging, and colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy (all y/n response). We performed multivariable regression analyses to assess associations between each element of partner engagement and patient receipt of surveillance, controlling for important partner- and patient-level variables. Results: Most partners (85%) were &gt; age 50, female (64%), and white (86%). 27% had &lt;high school education. Most patients (60%) had colon primary (vs rectal), received chemotherapy (95%), and were 3-4 years out from diagnosis (62%). Female partners and those with &lt;high school education were more likely to report a greater extent of involvement; Partners &lt; age 50 were more likely to report greater satisfaction with involvement. Female partners, those with &lt;high school education, and partners of patients who received chemotherapy were more likely to report greater awareness (all p &lt; 0.05). Being informed did not vary by partner or patient factors. Having a more aware partner was associated with greater patient receipt of surveillance colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy (p = 0.01). Receipt of surveillance CEA or imaging did not vary by partner engagement. Conclusions: Partner engagement in patients’ surveillance varied by partner age, gender and education. Partner awareness of patient preferences was associated with patient receipt of surveillance colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy. Our findings suggest that interventions to engage partners in patients’ surveillance may improve receipt of guideline-concordant care for survivors of colorectal cancer.

Bisexual Men's Experiences with Discrimination, Internalized Binegativity, and Identity Affirmation: Differences by Partner Gender.

Bisexual individuals experience unique forms of discrimination related to their sexual orientation (e.g., anti-bisexual prejudice), which occurs from both heterosexual and gay/lesbian individuals. Bisexual individuals may experience stigma differently depending on the gender of their relationship or sexual partners, because they may be perceived as heterosexual if they have a partner of a different gender and as gay/lesbian if they have a partner of the same gender. The present longitudinal study investigated within-persons differences in anti-bisexual experiences, internalized binegativity, and bisexual identity affirmation based on the gender of participants' serious relationship partners and gender of sex partners in a sample of 180 young bisexual men. Results indicated that young bisexual men experienced more interpersonal hostility from both heterosexual and gay/lesbian individuals when their serious relationship partner was female. No significant differences were found in other types of anti-bisexual prejudice, internalized binegativity, or bisexual identity affirmation by serious partner gender. For sexual partner gender, men who had only male sex partners experienced more sexual orientation instability attitudes from heterosexual and lesbian/gay individuals; men with only female sex partners experienced more sexual irresponsibility attitudes from heterosexuals, but not from lesbian/gay individuals; and, like those with female serious relationship partners, men with only female sex partners had more frequent experiences of interpersonal hostility from heterosexual and lesbian/gay individuals. Results indicate that bisexual men experience unique forms of prejudice based on the gender of their relationship and sexual partners. Implications for the mental health of bisexual men are discussed.

Female audit partners and accruals quality: evidence from Indonesia

PurposeThis study examines the association between accruals quality and gender of the firm's audit engagement partner in Indonesia. Specifically, prior studies provide evidence that gender-based difference in diligence, conservatism and risk tolerance, it is plausible that female auditors may improve audit quality. Indonesia provides a valuable research setting to investigate the issue, as it is mandatory to disclose the identity of the audit partners in the audit reports.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs multivariate regression model to test the hypothesis, which examines the association between accruals quality and audit partners gender. Using a sample of Indonesian publicly listed firms, we run a panel of regression of audit quality measure proxied by abnormal accruals on female auditor variable and firm-specific controls. To triangulate the results, we also conduct sensitivity analysis using high and low category of abnormal accruals, an alternative measure of accruals quality (i.e. Beneish's M score) and propensity score matching (PSM).FindingsWe find that firms with female audit engagement partners are not associated with smaller abnormal accruals, thereby implying that female auditors may not constrain effects on earnings management. In other words, gender is not an important predictor for audit quality in Indonesia.Research limitations/implicationsWe are not able to use broader measures of audit quality such as GAAP violations/restatement, litigation or audit fee. This is because the Indonesian setting somewhat limits us to collect them due to lack of regulatory actions and/or database availability.Practical implicationsThis study will contribute to the regulators (such as Financial Service Authorities/OJK) and professionals, on the effectiveness of female audit partners in improving audit quality. The study can be used as an evidence to support the gender equality in the accounting and audit industry.Social implicationsOur findings suggest that auditor gender does not lead to the improvement of accruals quality in Indonesia. Given the fact that only 14% of firms in our sample audited by female audit partners, it is plausible that the positive traits of female top managers may not transmit to the overall audit process. As such, it is important to encourage more female involvement in top position of auditing and accounting industry is required to advance the profession and its positive impact to the society.Originality/valueThere are no prior studies in Indonesia examining the effect of audit partner gender on accruals quality using archival data. As such, this research will be the first to document such evidence and therefore can improve our understanding on the role of auditor characteristic on audit quality. We also respond to the call from DeFond and Zhang (2014) to push analysis of audit quality to the individual auditor level by examining the gender of audit partner.

The Gender-as-Relational Approach for Theorizing About Romantic Relationships of Sexual and Gender Minority Mid- to Later-Life Adults.

We deploy the "gender-as-relational" (GAR) approach to enhance the study of the long-term romantic relationships of sexual and gender minority mid- to later-life adults. The GAR approach states that gender within relationships is shaped by three key factors: own gender, partner's gender, and the gendered relational context. This approach highlights that the relationship dynamics of men, women, and gender nonconforming people are highly diverse, reflecting that gender is a social construct formed within interactions and institutions. We explicate how GAR can reorganize the study of sexual and gender diversity in three research areas related to aging and relationships-caregiving, marital health benefits, and intimacy-and discuss theory-driven methods appropriate for a GAR research agenda. A GAR framework reorients research by complicating taken-for-granted assumptions about how gender operates within mid- to later-life romantic relationships and queering understandings of aging and romantic relationships to include experiences outside of heteronormative and cisnormative categories.

Sexual Assault, Alcohol Use, and Gender of Sexual Partners Among Cisgender Women Seeking Care at US College Health Centers, 2015-2018.

Objectives. To assess differences by gender of sexual partner in the association between sexual assault and alcohol use among women seeking care in college health centers.Methods. This longitudinal study comprised 1578 women aged 18 to 24 years visiting 28 college health centers in Pennsylvania and West Virginia from 2015 to 2018. We used multilevel logistic regression and negative binomial regression, testing for interactions of gender of sexual partners, sexual assault, and prevalence and frequency of alcohol use and binge drinking.Results. Sexual assault was reported by 87.3% of women who had sex with women or with women and men (WSWM), 68.2% of women who had sex with men only (WSM), and 47.5% of women with no penetrative sexual partners. The relative associations between sexual assault and alcohol outcomes were smaller for WSWM (prevalence: odds ratios from 0.04 to 0.06; frequency: incidence rate ratios [IRRs] from 0.24 to 0.43) and larger for women who had no penetrative sexual partners (IRRs from 1.55 to 2.63), compared with WSM.Conclusions. Alcohol use patterns among women who have experienced sexual assault differ by gender of sexual partners.

Gender of partner affects the interaction pattern during group creative idea generation.

This study aimed to determine how gender composition affects the group creative process. Participants were recruited into dyads with different gender compositions (female-male dyad, F-M; female-female, F-F; male-male, and M-M) to solve two problems. One problem demanded creativity alternative use task (AUT) and the other did not object characteristic task. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)-based hyperscanning was used to record interpersonal neural responses. Results demonstrated no significant difference in creative performance among the three types of dyads. However, the F-F dyad showed higher levels of cooperative behaviour (i.e. the index of convergence) and collective flexibility than the other dyads. Also, in the fNIRS data, the F-F dyad showed higher interpersonal brain synchronization (IBS) increments in the right posterior parietal cortex during the AUT than the other dyads, which covaried with their creative performance. These findings indicate that while solving a creativity problem together, females are more likely than males to consider others' perspectives. This gender difference might be due to the enhanced IBS increment in the right posterior parietal cortex.