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Cited by 216Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive HealthLGBTQ Health, Identity, and PolicyHIV/AIDS Research and Interventions

In the Dark: Young Men’s Stories of Sexual Initiation in the Absence of Relevant Sexual Health Information

Open access
Kubicek, Katrina, Beyer, William J., Weiss, George, Iverson, Ellen, Kipke, Michele D.·2010·Health Education & Behavior
DOI 10.1177/1090198109339993PMC PMC2866104
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Abstract

A growing body of research has investigated the effectiveness of abstinence-only sexual education. There remains a dearth of research on the relevant sexual health information available to young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Drawing on a mixed-methods study with 526 YMSM, this study explores how and where YMSM receive relevant information on sexual health/behavior. Findings indicate that information related to gay men’s sexuality is not readily available from family, friends, or schools. At initiation of anal intercourse, respondents generally had limited information about HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In some cases, this resulted in the perception that activities such as unprotected sex were “low risk.” Many mentioned they first learned about anal sex during their sexual debut, describing painful and/or unpleasant experiences. Some relied on older/more experienced partners, the Internet, and pornography for information. Findings are discussed in relation to how providers can help YMSM build solid foundations of sexual education to protect them from STI and HIV infection.

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  • Sexual minority sexuality remains relatively unaddressed in mainstream sources of sex education such as parents and schools.

    “Further, given the stigmatizing nature of same-sex sexuality (Herek, 2004), sexual minority sexuality remains relatively unaddressed in mainstream sources of sex education, such as from parents and schools (e.g., Kubicek, Beyer, Weiss, Iverson, & Kipke, 2010).”

    From A transdiagnostic minority stress treatment approach for gay and bisexual men's syndemic health conditions (2015) · cites this paper as Kubicek, Beyer, Weiss, Iverson, & Kipke, 2010

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. MacKellar DA Valleroy LA Karon JM Lemp GF Janssen RS 1996 The Young Men’s Survey: Methods for estimating HIV seroprevalence and risk factors among young men who have sex with men Public Health Reports 111 Supplement 1 138 144 8862170 PMC1382056

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Authors
Kubicek, K., Beyer, W. J., Weiss, G., Iverson, E., & Kipke, M. D.
Affiliations
  • Children's Hospital Los Angeles (US)
  • University of Southern California (US)
ORCID
Venue
Health Education & Behavior
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2009-07-02
Volume
37
Issue
2
Pages
243-263
ISSN
  • 1090-1981 (ISSN-L)
  • 1552-6127
DOI
10.1177/1090198109339993
PMC
PMC2866104
OpenAlex
W2043037455
Cited by
216
References
52
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 10
FWCI
9.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
  • Health Education & Behavior (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01DA015638)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
Keywords
young men who have sex with men, sexual initiation, sexual health information, HIV, sexually transmitted infections, anal sex, unprotected sex, sexual risk perception, pornography, sex education
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Peer Group, Physician's Role, Sexual Behavior, Sex Education, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Cohort Studies, AIDS Serodiagnosis, Condoms, Homosexuality, Male, Internet, Young Adult

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