Shame Predicts Sexual Risk-Taking Among MSM

• In Event: ICA Plenary Interactive Paper/Poster Session and Reception
  In Interactive Paper Session: Health Communication Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

Recently, Christensen et al. (2013) found that shame predicted unprotected anal intercourse

(UAI) with non-primary (casual) partners for young men who have sex with men (MSM). Unknown

is whether some men (i.e., those more insecurely attached) are more susceptible and what mediates this link (e.g. alcohol, drugs) and whether this applies to both insertive, and, more risky, receptive UAI. To examine these links, data from 1196 high-risk young MSM were gathered. Using hierarchical negative binomial regression models and mediation analyses we found that shame (as measured with the PANAS-X) positively and significantly predicted both receptive and insertive UAI. The effect of shame on sexual behavior was mediated by alcohol. Furthermore, avoidant attachment predicted shame, alcohol use, and insertive and receptive UAI -- but only consistently for MSM whose attachment responses indicated that they were paying attention (i.e., those who responded to items and reversed items in a conceptually similar way). Further analyses indicated that avoidant attachment, but not anxious attachment, significantly mediated the shame to alcohol link.

Authors

• David Jeong, U of Southern California - Annenberg School for Communication

• Lynn Carol Miller, U of Southern California

• John Christensen, U of Connecticut

• Paul Robert Appleby, U of Southern California

• Stephen J. Read, U of Southern California