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Toward a Social Theory of Sexual Risk Behavior Among Men in the Armed Services: Understanding the Military Occupational Habitus

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Abstract

Worldwide, military personnel have been recognized as a population at elevated risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV; however, it is not well understood how the military occupation itself is implicated in the production of sexual risk behavior. Using qualitative and quantitative data collected from the Belize Defense Force (BDF), we employed a grounded theoretical framework and the Bourdieusian concept of the field and habitus to clarify how the military occupation is implicated in structuring aspects of sexual risk behaviors among personnel. We focus results on in-depth qualitative interviews conducted with 15 male-identified BDF personnel. We identify and describe how two field elements, namely operational tempo and ongoing exposure to occupational hazards, are occupationally specific field elements implicated in the production of sexual risk behavior through the mediating matrix of the military class habitus. Our findings demonstrate a conceptual clarity regarding the institutional field and habitus through which military personnel make sense of and act on the risk of bodily harm with regard to their own sexual behaviors. We conclude by outlining our theoretical concept so that it can be directly applied in public health efforts in order to leverage military occupational field elements for the purpose of HIV and STI prevention.

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Acknowledgments

Support for this work was provided by the United States Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program (DHAPP). The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors, and are not to be construed as official, or as reflecting the views of the Departments of Navy or the Department of Defense.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no commercial or other association that might pose a conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. New York University, New York, NY, USA

    Michael P. Anastario

  2. Cicatelli Associates Inc., New York, NY, USA

    Rachel Hallum-Montes

  3. The Belize Defense Force, Ladyville, Belize

    Elfryn Reyes & Russell Manzanero

  4. The Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program, San Diego, CA, USA

    Helen Chun

Authors
  1. Michael P. Anastario
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  2. Rachel Hallum-Montes
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  3. Elfryn Reyes
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  4. Russell Manzanero
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  5. Helen Chun
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Correspondence to Michael P. Anastario.

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Anastario, M.P., Hallum-Montes, R., Reyes, E. et al. Toward a Social Theory of Sexual Risk Behavior Among Men in the Armed Services: Understanding the Military Occupational Habitus. Cult Med Psychiatry 37, 737–755 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11013-013-9335-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11013-013-9335-x

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