Trajectories of Sexual Protection: A Panel Study of New Adult Relationships

• In Event: 592 - Regular Session. Social Dimensions of Aids

Abstract

How do sex risk and protection change over the course of a relationship? This 3-year longitudinal study examines 412 new sexual relationships described by 126 adult participants and tests the claim that protection against sex risks generally declines over the course of relationships. Analyses here identify four relationship trajectories: only 11-15% of new sex relationships show a declining trajectory of protection; another 12% show only a temporary decline. Population average analyses previously interpreted to show a decline in protection are shown here to be is largely explained by relationship attrition rather than changes in protection. Of theories proposed to explain protective sex behaviors, only power imbalance theory is supported for the declining trajectory.

Author

• David C. Bell, Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis