Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Sexual Health Research With Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men: Experiences of Benefits and Harms

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Archives of Sexual Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) are often underrepresented in sexual health research because of concerns about safety, privacy, and the potential for research harms. Empirical data are needed to understand YBMSM experience of participating in research, benefits and harms (discomfort), to inform policy and regulatory decisions. Using qualitative methods, this article examines 50 YBMSM, aged 15–19 years, experiences of benefits/harms, challenges of participating in sexual health research, and contextual factors impacting research experiences. Participants were asked about benefits and harms experienced in answering questions about sexual orientation, first same-sex attraction, and same-sex sexual experiences after completing an in-depth interview. Interviews were transcribed and coded. Inductive open coding was used to identify themes within and between interviews. Participants were able to describe perceived direct benefits resulting from research interview participation, including awareness of risky sexual behaviors, a safe space to share early coming out stories and same-sex sexual experiences, and a sense of empowerment and comfort with one’s sexual orientation. Indirect benefits described by participants included perceptions of helping others and the larger gay community. Few participants described harms (discomfort recalling experiences). Our data suggest that participating in qualitative sexual health research focused on sexual orientation, sexual attraction, and early same-sex sexual experiences may result in minimal harms for YBMSM and multiple benefits, including feeling more comfortable than in a general medical visit.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Almeida, J., Johnson, R. M., Corliss, H. L., Molnar, B. E., & Azrael, D. (2009). Emotional distress among LGBT youth: The influence of perceived discrimination based on sexual orientation. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 38(7), 1001–1014. doi:10.1007/s10964-009-9397-9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Arrington-Sanders, R., Harper, G. W., Morgan, A., Ogunbajo, A., Trent, M., & Fortenberry, J. D. (2015). The role of sexually explicit material in the sexual development of same-sex-attracted Black adolescent males. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 44(3), 597–608. doi:10.1007/s10508-014-0416-x.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Arrington-Sanders, R., Leonard, L., Brooks, D., Celentano, D., & Ellen, J. (2013). Older partner selection in young African-American men who have sex with men. Journal of Adolescent Health, 52(6), 682–688. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.12.011.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Arrington-Sanders, R., Morgan A., Oidtman, J., Gomez, M., Ogunbajo, A., & Trent, M. (2016). Context of first same-sex condom use and nonuse in young black gay and bisexual males. Journal of Research on Adolescence. doi:10.1111/jora.12255.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bernstein, K. T., Liu, K., Begier, E. M., Koblin, B., Karpati, A., & Murrill, C. (2008). Same-sex attraction disclosure to health care providers among New York City men who have sex with men: Implications for HIV testing approaches. Archives of Internal Medicine, 168(13), 1458–1464. doi:10.1001/archinte.168.13.1458.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beskow, J., Runeson, B., & Åsgård, U. (1990). Psychological autopsies: Methods and ethics. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 20(4), 307–320. doi:10.1111/j.1943-278X.1990.tb00219.x.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bontempo, D. E., & D’Augelli, A. R. (2002). Effects of at-school victimization and sexual orientation on lesbian, gay, or bisexual youths’ health risk behavior. Journal of Adolescent Health, 30(5), 364–374. doi:10.1016/S1054-139X(01)00415-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bowleg, L. (2013). “Once you’ve blended the cake, you can’t take the parts back to the main ingredients”: Black gay and bisexual men’s descriptions and experiences of intersectionality. Sex Roles, 68(11–12), 754–767. doi:10.1007/s11199-012-0152-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bruce, D., Harper, G. W., & Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions. (2011). Operating without a safety net: Gay male adolescents and emerging adults’ experiences of marginalization and migration, and implications for theory of syndemic production of health disparities. Health Education & Behavior, 38(4), 367–378. doi:10.1177/1090198110375911.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Catania, J. A., Turner, H., Pierce, R. C., Golden, E., Stocking, C., Binson, D., & Mast, K. (1993). Response bias in surveys of AIDS-related sexual behavior. In: D. G. Ostrow, & R. C. Kessler, et al. (Eds), Methodological issues in AIDS behavioral research (pp. 133–162). New York: Plenum. doi:10.1007/0-306-47137-X_7.

  • Diaz, V. A., Mainous, A., McCall, A. A., & Geesey, M. S. (2008). Factors affecting research participation in African American college students. Family Medicine, 40(1), 46–51. https://www.stfm.org/fmhub/fm2008/January/Vanessa46.pdf.

  • Dube, E. M., Savin-Williams, R. C., & Diamond, L. M. (2001). Intimacy development, gender, and ethnicity among sexual-minority youths. In A. R. D’Augelli & C. J. Patterson (Eds.), Lesbian, gay, and bisexual identities and youth: Psychological perspectives (pp. 129–152). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dyregrov, A. D., & Dyregrov, K. (1999). Long-term impact of sudden infant death: A 12- to 15-year follow-up. Death Studies, 23(7), 635–661. doi:10.1080/074811899200812.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dyregrov, K. (2004). Bereaved parents’ experience of research participation. Social Science and Medicine, 58(2), 391–400. doi:10.1016/S0277-9536(03)00205-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, C. B., Kornetsky, S. Z., & Prentice, E. D. (2007). Determining risk in pediatric research with no prospect of direct benefit: Time for a national consensus on the interpretation of federal regulations. American Journal of Bioethics, 7(3), 5–10. doi:10.1080/15265160601171572.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Glick, S. N., & Golden, M. R. (2014). Early male partnership patterns, social support, and sexual risk behavior among young men who have sex with men. AIDS and Behavior, 18(8), 1466–1475. doi:10.1007/s10461-013-0678-7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Goldhammer, H., & Mayer, K. H. (2011). Focusing on sexual health promotion to enhance preventive behaviors among gay men and other men who have sex with men: Report from a state-of-the-art conference. AIDS and Behavior, 15(1), 1–8. doi:10.1007/s10461-011-9907-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gunsalus, C. K., Bruner, E. M., Burbules, N. C., Dash, L., Finkin, M., Goldberg, J. P., et al. (2007). The Illinois white paper improving the system for protecting human subjects: Counteracting IRB “Mission creep”. Qualitative Inquiry, 13(5), 617–649. doi:10.1177/1077800407300785.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hagan, J. F., Shaw, J. S., & Duncan, P. (Eds.). (2008). Bright futures: Guidelines for health supervision of infants, children, and adolescents. Pocket guide (3rd ed.). Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hruschka, D. J., Schwartz, D., John, D. C. S., Picone-Decaro, E., Jenkins, R. A., & Carey, J. W. (2004). Reliability in coding open-ended data: Lessons learned from HIV behavioral research. Field Methods, 16(3), 307–331. doi:10.1177/1525822X04266540.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jamil, O. B., Harper, G. W., & Fernandez, M. I. (2009). Sexual and ethnic identity development among gay–bisexual–questioning (GBQ) male ethnic minority adolescents. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 15(3), 203. doi:10.1037/a0014795.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Koblin, B. A., Mayer, K. H., Eshleman, S. H., Wang, L., Mannheimer, S., Del Rio, C., … Liu, T. Y. (2013). Correlates of HIV acquisition in a cohort of Black men who have sex with men in the United States: HIV prevention trials network (HPTN) 061. PLoS One 8, e70413. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0070413.

  • Kraft, J. M., Beeker, C., Stokes, J. P., & Peterson, J. L. (2000). Finding the “community” in community-level HIV/AIDS interventions: Formative research with young African American men who have sex with men. Health Education & Behavior, 27(4), 430–441. doi:10.1177/109019810002700406.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Legate, N., Ryan, R. M., & Weinstein, N. (2012). Is coming out always a “good thing”? Exploring the relations of autonomy support, outness, and wellness for lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 3(2), 145–152. doi:10.1177/1948550611411929.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malebranche, D. J., Peterson, J. L., Fullilove, R. E., & Stackhouse, R. W. (2004). Race and sexual identity: Perceptions about medical culture and healthcare among Black men who have sex with men. Journal of the National Medical Association, 96(1), 97–107. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2594754/.

  • Matthews, D. D., Herrick, A. L., Coulter, R. W., Friedman, M. R., Mills, T. C., Eaton, L. A., … POWER Study Team. (2015). Running backwards: Consequences of current HIV incidence rates for the next generation of Black MSM in the United States. AIDS and Behavior, 20, 7–16. doi:10.1007/s10461-015-1158-z.

  • Maxwell, R., & Miller, T. (2008). Ecological ethics and media technology. International Journal of Communication, 2, 331–353. http://orca.cf.ac.uk/53570/1/Miller%20320-1146-1-PB.pdf.

  • McCormack, M. (2014). Innovative sampling and participant recruitment in sexuality research. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 31, 475–481. doi:10.1177/0265407514522889.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohr, J., & Fassinger, R. (2000). Measuring dimensions of lesbian and gay male experience. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 33(2), 66. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/195610667?accountid=11752.

  • Murry, V. M., Kotchick, B. A., Wallace, S., Ketchen, B., Eddings, K., Heller, L., & Collier, I. (2004). Race, culture, and ethnicity: Implications for a community intervention. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 13(1), 81–99. doi:10.1023/B:JCFS.0000010492.70526.7d.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mustanski, B. (2011). Ethical and regulatory issues with conducting sexuality research with LGBT adolescents: A call to action for a scientifically informed approach. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 40(4), 673–686. doi:10.1007/s10508-011-9745-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nash, J. C. (2008). Re-thinking intersectionality. Feminist Review, 89(1), 1–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prejean, J., Song, R., Hernandez, A., Ziebell, R., Green, T., Walker, F., et al. (2011). Estimated HIV incidence in the United States, 2006–2009. PLoS One, 6(8), e17502. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0017502.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Santelli, J. S., Smith Rogers, A., Rosenfeld, W. D., DuRant, R. H., Dubler, N., Morreale, M., et al. (2003). Guidelines for adolescent health research: A position paper of the Society for Adolescent Medicine. Journal of Adolescent Health, 33(5), 396–409. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2003.06.009.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Savin-Williams, R. C., & Rodriguez, R. G. (1993). A developmental, clinical perspective on lesbian, gay male, and bisexual youths. In T. P. Gullotta, G. R. Adams, & R. Montemayor (Eds.), Adolescent sexuality: Advances in adolescent development (pp. 71–101). Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Torres, H. L., Delonga, K., Lee, S., Gladstone, K. A., Barrad, A., Huckaby, S., et al. (2013). Sociocontextual factors: Moving beyond individual determinants of sexual risk behavior among gay and bisexual adolescent males. Journal of LGBT Youth, 10(3), 173–185. doi:10.1080/19361653.2013.799000.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waldo, C. R., McFarland, W., Katz, M. H., MacKellar, D., & Valleroy, L. A. (2000). Very young gay and bisexual men are at risk for HIV infection: The San Francisco Bay Area Young Men’s Survey II. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 24(2), 168–174. doi:10.1097/00042560-200006010-00012.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Warner, L. R. (2008). A best practices guide to intersectional approaches in psychological research. Sex Roles, 59(5–6), 454–463.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weinhardt, L. S., Carey, M. P., Maisto, S. A., Carey, K. B., Cohen, M. M., & Wickramasinghe, S. M. (1998). Reliability of the timeline follow-back sexual behavior interview. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 20(1), 25–30.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wendler, D., Belsky, L., Thompson, K. M., & Emanuel, E. J. (2005). Quantifying the federal minimal risk standard: Implications for pediatric research without a prospect of direct benefit. Journal of American Medical Association, 294(7), 826–832. doi:10.1001/jama.294.7.826.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, P., & Moore, T. (2009). Public health responses to the HIV epidemic among Black men who have sex with men: A qualitative study of US Health Department Communities. American Journal of Public Health, 99(6), 1013–1022.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Yancey, A. K., Ortega, A. N., & Kumanyika, S. K. (2006). Effective recruitment and retention of minority research participants. Annual Review Public Health, 27, 1–28. doi:10.1146/annurev.publhealth.27.021405.102113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ybarra, M. L., Langhinrichsen-Rohling, J., Friend, J., & Diener-West, M. (2009). Impact of asking sensitive questions about violence to children and adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 45(5), 499–507. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.03.009.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the contribution of the participants who shared their experiences and that of Adedotun Ogunbajo through his help in the recruitment and data collection. The National Institute of Child Health Development (K23 NICHD HD074470-02, PI: Sanders) and the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association Development Award (PI: Sanders) supported the present study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 200 North Wolfe Street, 2063, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Renata Arrington-Sanders, Anthony Morgan, Jessica Oidtman & Margaret Moon

  2. Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Ann Dao

  3. Section of Adolescent Medicine, Indiana University, 410 W. 10th St., Room 1001, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    J. Dennis Fortenberry & Mary A. Ott

Authors
  1. Renata Arrington-Sanders
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anthony Morgan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jessica Oidtman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ann Dao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Margaret Moon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. J. Dennis Fortenberry
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Mary A. Ott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Renata Arrington-Sanders.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Arrington-Sanders, R., Morgan, A., Oidtman, J. et al. Sexual Health Research With Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men: Experiences of Benefits and Harms. Arch Sex Behav 46, 937–946 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-016-0715-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-016-0715-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation