Potential Sexual Partners Research Articles

Inferring Sexually Transmitted Infection Risk From Attractiveness in Online Dating Among Adolescents and Young Adults: Exploratory Study.

BackgroundSexually transmitted infection (STI) rates are on the rise among adolescents and young adults in the United States. With the popularity of online dating, adolescents and young adults must increasingly rely on limited cues to make initial judgments about potential sexual partners, including judgments about STI risk.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess whether in the context of online dating, an attractiveness heuristic would be used for STI risk assessment. We hypothesized that consistent with research on halo effects, decision makers would judge more attractive people to be less likely to have STIs.MethodsIn a survey experiment, we asked participants to determine which individual in each of 20 sets of paired photographs was enrolled in a personals website for people with publicly disclosed STIs.ResultsDespite financial incentives for accuracy and high levels of self-confidence in their judgments, participants performed no better than chance at identifying individuals with self-reported STIs. Contrary to our hypothesis, however, more attractive people were judged as being more likely to have an STI. This relationship appears to be mediated by inferences regarding the target individual’s sexual behavior, with more attractive individuals considered to have more partners.ConclusionsOn showing adolescents and young adults photographs offering no diagnostic information about STIs, they appeared to use attractiveness as a cue for sexual risk, which was mediated by the belief that attractive individuals have more sexual opportunities. Health care providers may wish to address this heuristic process among their adolescent patients in discussions about sexual health.

Power Affects Perceptions of Sexual Willingness: Implications for Litigating Sexual Assault Allegations

How potential sexual partners and third-party observers perceive women's sexual intentions can affect the propensity to commit or excuse sexual aggression. We examined the effect of feelings of pow...

Profiling Dating Apps Users: Sociodemographic and Personality Characteristics.

The development of new technologies, the expansion of the Internet, and the emergence of dating apps (e.g., Tinder, Grindr) in recent years have changed the way to meet and approach potential romantic and/or sexual partners. The recent phenomenon has led to some gaps in the literature on individual differences (sociodemographic variables and personality traits) between users (previous and current users) and non-users of dating apps. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between using dating apps, sociodemographics (gender, age, sexual orientation, and relationship status), and bright and dark personality traits. Participants were 1705 university students (70% women, 30% men), aged between 18 and 26 (M = 20.60, SD = 2.09), who completed several online questionnaires. Through multinomial logistic regression analyses, it was found that men, older youth, and members of sexual minorities were more likely to be current and previous dating apps users. Being single and higher scores in open-mindedness were associated with higher probability to be current dating apps user. The dark personality showed no predictive ability. The discussion highlights the usefulness of knowing and considering the sociodemographic background and the characteristics of personality patterns in the design and implementation of preventive and promotion programs of healthy romantic and sexual relationships to improve people’s better health and well-being.

Using Crowdsourcing to Develop a Peer-Led Intervention for Safer Dating App Use: Pilot Study.

BackgroundSmartphone-based dating apps are rapidly transforming how people seek potential sexual and romantic partners. However, they can also increase the risk of unsafe sexual behaviors, harassment, and infringement of personal privacy. Current research on interventions for safer dating app use remains insufficient.ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to describe the development of an intervention for safer dating app usage using crowdsourcing and peer-led approaches.MethodsThis paper describes the development of an intervention program designed to promote safer dating app use among college students. Crowdsourcing and peer-led approaches were adopted during key stages of the development process. Focus group discussions were held to assess the experience and needs of dating app users. A crowdsourcing contest then solicited ideas for performance objectives for the intervention. These objectives were grouped to further identify practical strategies. A one-day intensive workshop was subsequently held with peer mentors to brainstorm ideas for the production of creative interventional materials. The intervention programs were produced and tested in a pilot study. The app’s effectiveness will be evaluated in a cluster randomized controlled trial.ResultsThe intervention program consists of a risk assessment tool, a first-person scenario game, and four short videos. The risk assessment tool, comprised of 14 questions, will give the participant a score to determine their level of risk of adverse events when using dating apps. The scenario game is a first-person simulation game where the players are presented with choices when faced with different scenarios. The short videos each last 2-4 minutes, with points of discussion aimed at addressing the risks of using dating apps. The programs were piloted and were found to be relatable and helpful when further modifications were made.ConclusionsPotential challenges identified during the development process included data management and analysis, sustaining peer mentors’ interests and participation, and balancing between providing more information and perpetuating social stigma around dating app use. By integrating new approaches, such as crowdsourcing and the peer-led approach, in developing an intervention for safer dating app use, our development process provides a viable model for developing future interventions to address the risks associated with dating app use.

Broaching the Topic of HIV Self-testing with Potential Sexual Partners Among Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex with Men in New York and Puerto Rico.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) are highly affected by HIV and need novel prevention strategies. Using HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits to screen sexual partners may represent a viable risk-reduction alternative; however, more research is needed on effective strategies for broaching HIVST with partners. In the ISUM study, 136 MSM and TGW were given ten HIVST kits for self- and partner-testing. After 3 months, they returned for a follow-up assessment; thirty participants were also selected for in-depth interviews about their experiences initiating HIVST with partners. Most found proposing HIVST to a diverse array of partners relatively easy. They employed strategies such as joint testing and integrating HIVST into larger discussions about protection and sexual health, with moderate success. Nonetheless, real or anticipated negative partner reactions were a significant barrier. Future research can inform best practices for safely and successfully broaching HIVST with sexual partners.

Substance Use and Testing Sexual Partners Using HIV Self-tests.

HIV self-tests (HIVST) provide the possibility of testing partners prior to sexual activity. This study examines the role of substance use among men who have sex with men (n = 123) and transgender women (n = 13) who were provided HIVST to use with potential sex partners. Several reported avoiding/delaying alcohol (44%) or drug use (27%) because they intended to use HIVST. Those who used HIVST with alcohol (37%) or drugs (24%) did not differ from those who did not on number of partners asked, proportion who agreed, or intentions to use HIVST. A minority reported problems caused by substances. Ten did not ask someone to test because they were too drunk/high. Fourteen said it was fairly or very hard to use HIVST when under the influence. Eleven reported substances caused problems when discussing or administering HIVST, but only two of those felt the problems were major.

Transgender Women's Experiences Using a Home HIV-Testing Kit for Partner-Testing.

HIV partner-testing (PT) may represent a unique and empowering HIV prevention strategy for groups that face structural and institutional barriers to HIV testing and care, including transgender women. We report on in-depth interviews (IDIs) with N = 10 transgender women who used HIV self-test kits for three months to screen potential sexual partners in a randomized controlled trial (iSUM; "I'll Show You Mine") that took place in New York City and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Participants were assigned to intervention (supplied with 10 self-test kits immediately) or control groups (received 6 test kits after 3months). We conducted IDIs with the first N = 10 transgender women to enroll in the intervention group after three months in the study (after participants used kits with partners) to understand their experiences. Themes discussed in IDIs included: partners' reaction to HIV testing, participants' reactions to partners' test results or refusal to test, partners' own reaction to their test results, and decision-making around test use. Data were independently analyzed by two coders. Overwhelmingly, participants' experiences with PT was positive. Participants reported kits were convenient and acceptable to most partners. Transgender women felt that PT could pose additional risk for them; one woman experienced violence related to kit use. Furthermore, the availability of kits appeared to encourage participants and their partners to think about their HIV status and, in some cases, modify sexual behavior. Work suggests that HIV PT could be a viable risk-reduction strategy for transgender women.

A Large-Scale Comparison of Canadian Sexual/Gender Minority and Heterosexual, Cisgender Adolescents’ Pornography Use Characteristics

BackgroundThe ease of access to pornography has made its use common among adolescents. Although sexual and gender minority (SGM) (eg, gay, transgender) adolescents may be more prone to use pornography owing to sexual orientation–related information seeking and/or scarcity of potential romantic or sexual partners, relatively little attention has been paid to their pornography use and to the quantitative examination of the similarities and differences between heterosexual, cisgender (HC) and SGM adolescents’ pornography use characteristics. AimThe aim of the present study was to compare SGM and HC adolescents’ pornography use considering potential sex differences. MethodsWe used a sample of 2,846 adolescents (52.5% girls; Mage = 14.5 years, SD = 0.6), which was collected as part of an ongoing longitudinal study on adolescents’ sexual health. Data were analyzed with 5 groups: HC boys; HC girls; SGM boys; SGM girls; and SGM non-binary individuals. OutcomesAdolescents completed a self-report questionnaire about sexual and gender minority status and pornography use (ie, lifetime use, age at first exposure, and frequency of use in the past 3 months.) ResultsResults indicated significant differences between all groups: 88.2% of HC boys, 78.2% of SGM boys, 54.2% of SGM girls, 39.4% of HC girls, and 29.4% of SGM non-binary individuals reported having ever viewed pornography by the age of 14 years. SGM girls indicated a significantly younger age at first pornography use than HC girls, but this difference was not significant among boys. SGM boys reported the highest (median: many times per week), whereas HC girls reported the lowest (median: less than once a month) frequency of pornography use. Clinical TranslationResults suggest that SGM and HC boys' pornography use characteristics are rather similar, whereas SGM and HC girls’ pornography use patterns may be considered different presumably because of the varying underlying motivations (eg, using pornography to confirm sexual orientation). Strengths & LimitationsSelf-report measures and cross-sectional designs have potential biases that should be considered. However, the present study involved a large sample of adolescents including SGM adolescents, a population group that is understudied. ConclusionApproximately two-thirds of teenagers had gained their first experience with pornography in the present sample, and 52.2% reported using it once a week or more often in the past 3 months, indicating that pornography use may play an important role in both HC and SGM adolescents’ sexual development. Gender-based differences concerning pornography use seem to be robust regardless of SGM status.Bőthe B, Vaillancourt-Morel, MP, Girouard A, et al. A Large-Scale Comparison of Canadian Sexual/Gender Minority and Heterosexual, Cisgender Adolescents’ Pornography Use Characteristics. J Sex Med 2020;17:1156–1167.

The (dis)advantages of dominance in a multiple male group of Anolis carolinensis lizards

Male Anolis carolinensis lizards will fight and form social dominance hierarchies when placed in habitats with limited resources. Dominance may procure benefits such as priority access to food, shelter or partners, but may also come with costs, such as a higher risk of injuries due to aggressive interaction, a higher risk of predation or a higher energetic cost, all of which may lead to an increase in stress. While most research looks at dominance by using dyadic interactions, in our study we investigated the effect of dominance in a multiple male group of A. carolinensis lizards. Our results showed that dominant males in a multiple male group had priority access to prey and potential sexual partners but may run a higher risk of predation. We could not confirm that dominant males in a multiple male group had a higher risk of injuries from aggressive interactions or a higher energetic cost by being dominant. Overall our results seem to indicate that dominant male A. carolinensis lizards in a multiple male group obtain clear benefits and that they outweigh the disadvantages.

Use of Rapid HIV Self-Test to Screen Potential Sexual Partners: Results of the ISUM Study.

ISUM ("I'll show you mine") was a randomized controlled trial in which 272 transgender women and men who have sex with men in New York, NY (NYC) and San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) were assigned to an intervention group (n = 136), in which they had access to free HIV self-testing (ST) kits, or to a control group (n = 136). The trial aimed to determine whether the intervention group would use ST to screen sexual partners and have fewer condomless anal intercourse (CAI) occasions with serodiscordant or unknown status partners than the control group. The intervention group had on average 10 (32%) fewer CAI occasions; though clinically relevant, this difference fell short of statistical significance(p=.08). In NYC (n = 166) intervention participants had significantly fewer CAI occasions, whereas in SJU (n = 106) they reported non-significantly more CAI occasions. Two devastating hurricanes hit SJU during the study and may have impacted results in unmeasured ways.

The Influence of Sexual Arousal on Self-Reported Sexual Willingness and Automatic Approach to Models of Low, Medium, and High Prior Attractiveness

ABSTRACT Anecdotal evidence suggests that sexual attraction is flexible, and that high levels of sexual arousal can promote sexual willingness and approach tendencies toward a priori low attractive mates. This experimental study tested whether heightened sexual arousal can lower the threshold for sexual willingness and automatic approach tendencies toward potential sex partners of low and medium attractiveness. Heterosexual male (n =54) and female (n =61) participants were randomly assigned to a sexual arousal or control condition. Approach tendencies were indexed using a reaction time task. Sexual willingness was indexed using participant ratings of willingness to kiss and to consider having sex with same- and other-sex models of low, medium, and high attractiveness. Overall, participants showed stronger approach to models of high and medium than of low attractiveness. Sexual arousal weakened this differential responding but did not result in a robust increase of approach toward less attractive other-sex or same-sex models. Sexual willingness toward less attractive models was not affected by sexual arousal. Independent of condition, women reported greater sexual willingness toward same-sex models. The current pattern of findings does not support the notion that sexual arousal promotes automatic approach and sexual willingness to a broader array of sex partners.

Queer space and alternate queer geographies: LBQ women and the search for sexual partners at two LGBTQ-friendly U.S. universities

The postgay era – marked by decreased stigmatization of non-heterosexual identities and increasing assimilation of gays and lesbians into the heterosexual mainstream – may be indicative of a broader pluralization of queer geographies expanding the social and sexual opportunities of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ)-identified individuals beyond queer spaces. Less is known, however, about how LBQ women experience these pluralized geographies in a postgay era in their search for sexual partners, and how the perceived accessibility of queer and heterosexual spaces informs the search process. Drawing upon twenty-six in-depth qualitative interviews, this study examines queer-identified undergraduate women’s searches for same-sex sexual partners at two LGBTQ-friendly universities in the United States. The women in this study described experiences with dating, sex and relationships within three distinct campus “sexual geographies” – queer spaces, virtual communities and heteronormative campus parties – with entry to each of these sites negotiated in relationship to place-based gender and sexual dynamics. While women at both schools viewed their LGBTQ communities as viable spaces to both build community and meet potential sexual partners, this was paired with the understanding that one needed sufficient “queer capital” to stake a claim there. Counter to the notion that a postgay era has rendered queer space obsolete, or just one of many options, this study suggests that perceptions of queer community spaces as exclusionary or inaccessible may partially contribute to the production of alternative queer geographies beyond marked LGBTQ campus spaces.

Role of Male Sex Partners in HIV Risk of Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Mozambique.

Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) ages 15-24 years are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, particularly in East and Southern Africa. One strategy to reduce HIV among AGYW, proposed through the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe (DREAMS) Initiative, is to prevent and manage HIV among their male sexual partners. To implement this strategy and reach men, programs need information about AGYW's potential sexual partners at the local level. To support DREAMS programming in Mozambique, we undertook a study to characterize this population of men in 3 districts with ongoing DREAMS programming. In mid-2017 we conducted 15 focus group discussions with AGYW (N=102) and a venue-based intercept survey of men (N=1,140). Male sexual partners of AGYW who took the survey were diverse in age, education level, and socioeconomic status. Older AGYW focus group participants sought partners who could provide for them financially. Multiple sexual partnerships and inconsistent condom use were widely reported, with AGYW emphasizing that gender norms disempowered them from negotiating condom use. Reported condom use varied by AGYW and male-partner demographic characteristics, as well as by their relationship type. Condom use rates were much higher than national and regional estimates. AGYW who were less educated/not-in-school, were pregnant, or single mothers were particularly disempowered in sexual relationships. Less educated men were less likely to use condoms than educated men, and condom use was least likely in marriage. Study findings underscore the importance of reaching the diversity of male sexual partners of AGYW with HIV services as part of a strategy to reduce HIV risk among AGYW. They also support an enhanced focus on female-controlled HIV prevention methods that do not require negotiation with a male partner and special efforts to reach out-of-school/less educated AGYW, as well as pregnant AGYW and single mothers.

Sexual Racism Is Associated with Lower Self-Esteem and Life Satisfaction in Men Who Have Sex with Men.

Men of color who have sex with men (MCSM) commonly experience sexual racism within the community of men who have sex with men (MSM) and are often rejected as potential sexual and romantic partners as a result. The present study quantitatively investigated whether MCSM experience more race-based sexual discrimination relative to White MSM and whether there is an association between experiences of race-based sexual discrimination and two indicators of psychological well-being, namely self-esteem and life satisfaction. Participants were 1039 Australian MSM (774 White MSM, 265 MCSM) recruited from Grindr, a popular mobile geosocial networking app for MSM, who reported their experiences of race-based sexual discrimination, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. Results showed that MCSM experienced significantly more race-based sexual discrimination relative to White MSM, and that race-based sexual discrimination was significantly associated with lower self-esteem and, in turn, lower life satisfaction. These results further corroborate past qualitative work that has long suggested a link between sexual racism and psychological well-being for MCSM. Implications and future directions are discussed.

Exploring Current Stereotypes and Norms Impacting Sexual Partner HIV-Status Communication

ABSTRACT This study sought to explore HIV-related stereotypes and norms that impact HIV-status communication with potential sexual partners. A series of focus groups and in-depth interviews were conducted (N = 59) with HIV-positive and HIV-negative MSM (75%) and Heterosexuals (25%). Findings indicate that HIV stereotypes and stigma remain as barriers to HIV-status discussion. Differences also emerged across groups: 1) HIV-negative MSM were more likely to report engaging in HIV-status communication, 2) HIV-positive MSM described inconsistent HIV-status communication and reported concealing their status at times, and 3) Heterosexuals reported being least likely to engage in HIV-status communication; often using the blanket question “Are you clean?” to encompass all STIs and avoiding direct HIV-status discussion. Overall, findings indicate that many HIV stereotypes and stigma-related communication norms persist that discourage discussion of sexual partners’ HIV-status prior to sexual activity.

Smartphone Battery Levels and Sexual Decision-Making Among Men Who Have Sex with Men

Smartphone-dating and hook-up apps are undeniable factors in the modern landscape of sexuality. In particular, gay and bisexual men have bridged social and societal barriers for connection by using these apps. Despite advantages afforded by such technological advancements, when individuals are faced with a low phone battery, a sense of urgency may be experienced, which can increase risk-taking behaviours to accommodate an impending phone “death”. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a draining smartphone battery would facilitate a greater likelihood of agreeing to a hookup encounter. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three battery life condition groups (5%, 20%, 100%) and were asked how likely they were to agree to a hookup with a simulated potential sexual partner. We discovered that, relative to a full battery condition, participants were more likely to agree to a hookup in the lowest battery condition. Additionally, men who reported a greater likelihood of agreeing to a hookup also endorsed a greater propensity for sensation seeking, regardless of the battery condition. These findings have practical implications for educating smartphone users who utilize dating and hookup apps about how scarcity decision-making and sensation-seeking can impact the ability to practice safe sexual behaviours.

Winning the Game: How Sexual Narcissism Relates to Adversarial Sexual Beliefs and Pick-Up Techniques

Sexual entitlement is a belief that one has a right to sex and has the right to demand it. Previous research has shown that sexual entitlement, or sexual narcissism, can predict negative sexual outcomes, such as infidelity and sexual aggression. This study (N = 217) investigated whether sexual narcissism might be related to dating beliefs and techniques that could be precursors to sexual aggression. We found that sexual narcissism predicted participants’ adversarial sexual beliefs and use of manipulative dating techniques, such as those publicized by the pick-up artist community. Exploratory analyses revealed gender differences among the correlations between study variables. We suggest that individuals who hold problematic beliefs about sex and dating are especially likely to use techniques to manipulate potential sexual partners.

Influence of environmental colors and long-term sex isolation on zebrafish shoaling behavior

Zebrafish has a complex social behavior and little is known about the role of sexual preference and their environmental social interactions. In this study we investigated the potential influence of environmental colors and shoaling preferences of zebrafish male and female populations, with a focus on visual communication. Males and females were kept for 7 days in gender-isolated tanks, with a specific habitat color for each group: green for males and red for females. After the pre-test period, all the animals were kept separated and 8 noninvasive behavioral tests were conducted in a T-maze, with the application of different visual stimuli. We did not observe any clear influence of environmental coloring on social zebrafish choices. Significant sex-related differences were found in shoaling partner preference (i.e. same sex vs. other sex, one fish vs. three fish) as follows: females showed a tendency to avoid other females and spent more time with males. Male fish did not display a preference between one or three fish stimuli and they shoaled more with another male and less with a potential sexual partner. There was an obvious difference between males and females in responses and selection of shoaling partners.

Meeting Sexual Partners Through Internet Sites and Smartphone Apps in Australia: National Representative Study.

BackgroundStudies have reported on the proportion of the population looking for potential sexual partners using internet sites and smartphone apps, but few have investigated those who have sex with these partners, arguably a more important target group for health promotion.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the proportion of people who have had sex with someone they met on an internet site or a smartphone app in the previous year.MethodsWe analyzed data from the 2012-2013 Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships, a nationally representative telephone survey of Australian residents aged 16-69 years (N=20,091). The participation rate for the telephone survey was 66.22%. The prevalence of looking for a potential partner, physically meeting, and having sex with someone first met through an internet site or a smartphone app was estimated. Multivariate logistic regression was used for men and women separately to determine demographic and behavioral factors associated with having had sex with someone met on an internet site or a smartphone app in the last year.ResultsOverall, 12.09% of respondents had looked for potential partners using these technologies and 5.40% had done so in the last year. In the last year, 2.98% had met someone in person and 1.95% reported having had sex with someone first met on an internet site or a smartphone app. The prevalence of all behaviors was greater in men than in women and in younger respondents than in older respondents. Among sexually active men, factors associated with having had sex with someone met using internet sites or smartphone apps included identifying as gay or bisexual (adjusted odds ratio, AOR: 15.37, 95% CI 8.34-28.35), having either 2-3 or >3 sexual partners in the last year (AOR: 9.20, 95% CI 9.20-34.68 and AOR: 35.77, 95% CI 18.04-70.94, respectively), having had a sexually transmissible infection (STI) test in the past year (AOR: 2.02, 95% CI 1.21-3.38), or an STI in the last year (AOR: 3.15, 95% CI 1.25-7.97). Among sexually active women, factors associated with having had sex with someone met on an internet site or a smartphone app were as follows: having either 2-3 or >3 sexual partners in the last year (AOR: 32.01, 95% CI 13.17-77.78 and AOR: 71:03, 95 % CI 27.48-183.57, respectively), very low and low income (vs very high AOR: 3.40, 95% CI 1.12-10.35), and identifying as lesbian or bisexual (AOR: 2.27, 95% CI 1.04-4.49).ConclusionsMore than a third of adults who had looked for potential partners using websites and apps each year had sex with such partners, and those who had done so were more sexually active, suggesting that dating and hookup websites and applications are suitable settings for targeted sexual health interventions.

Stigma matters: HIV and HIV risk perception among men who have sex with men in Serbia; a qualitative study

As a social determinant of health, stigma is a major barrier to health care access, illness management and completing the treatment. It is attributed both to HIV as a health condition and to the populations at risk of being infected with it. In Serbia, HIV is associated with men who have sex with men (MSM), with a noticeable stigma towards them. Drawing upon a qualitative cross-sectional study, conducted in three Serbian cities, we explore the MSM’s perception of HIV in the context of that social stigma. Using a respondent-driven sampling approach, 62 targeted MSM respondents participated in focus groups discussions and in-depth interviews. We found that the participants’ understandings of the HIV infection, risks and prevention are shaped by stigma. Those MSM who resisted stigma relativised the HIV risk, associating it with the general population and HIV-positive MSMs, believing that HIV, perceived as a chronical illness, was unjustly related to MSM. As one of the main preventive measures, serosorting was based on alleged HIV-positive statuses of potential sexual partners. HIV-negative participants described perceiving HIV-positive MSM as the ones responsible for spreading the virus, since they were concealing their positive status. As a response to stigma, MSM tended to challenge the HIV discourse, shifting it away from MSM onto the general (male) population and HIV positive MSM. Our analysis suggests that stigma resistance may make MSM more susceptible to taking risks. HIV prevention programmes should take the social context of MSM into account and target MSM-related stigma.