Dissertation
African American heterosexual men's experiences of emotionally and sexually intimate relationships with women: implications for sexual HIV risk and protective behaviors
Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.), Drexel University
Aug 2013
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6130
Abstract
Although HIV infection is relatively low among heterosexual men overall compared with other groups of men, HIV infection in heterosexual men is highest among African American heterosexual men. Research has demonstrated that intimate relationships with women among African American heterosexual men have influenced sexual risk behaviors, such as engaging in unprotected sex and having concurrent sexual partnerships; as well as protective behaviors, such as condom use. The Close Relationship Context was utilized to frame this study. This dissertation consisted of secondary data analysis of 30 semi-structured interviews conducted for the qualitative phase of REPRESENT, a mixed methods study conducted in Philadelphia (2007 - 2009). The REPRESENT study was conducted to examine the effects of gender role norms, sexual scripts and structural factors on sexual HIV risk behaviors of low-income African American heterosexual men who reside in Philadelphia. NVivo 10.0 software was used to code narratives stemming from the interviews relevant to sexually and emotionally intimate relationship experiences with women among this sample of men. The codes were subsequently refined to generate themes derived from the data. There were five dominant themes and two non-dominant themes related to relationship experiences that increased sexual risk, and four dominant themes related to relationship experiences protecting against sexual risk. Participants cited trust and length of relationship as reasons for non-condom use with main sexual partners, but cited length of association of sexual partner as reasons for non-condom use with casual sexual partners. Participants cited relationships that have developed over time as reasons for non-condom use with both main and casual sexual partners. Participants identified monogamy and HIV/STI testing in committed relationships serving as protective sexual behaviors. They also cited that having sex with casual sexual partners and complying with partners' requests and demands to use condoms as reasons to do so with their sexual partners.
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Details
- Title
- African American heterosexual men's experiences of emotionally and sexually intimate relationships with women
- Creators
- Zupenda Malaika Imani Davis - DU
- Contributors
- Augusta M. Villanueva (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Public Health (2002-2015); Community Health and Prevention [Historical]; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 6130; 991014632055004721