Developmental Barriers to Couples’ HIV Testing and Counseling Among Adolescent Sexual Minority Males: A Dyadic Socio-ecological Perspective | Zendy

Tyrel J. Starks | Zendy; Travis I. Lovejoy | Zendy; Daniel Sauermilch | Zendy; Gabriel Robles | Zendy; Mark Stratton | Zendy; Demetria Cain | Zendy; Sylvie Naar | Zendy; Sarah W. Feldstein Ewing | Zendy

Open Access

Developmental Barriers to Couples’ HIV Testing and Counseling Among Adolescent Sexual Minority Males: A Dyadic Socio-ecological Perspective

Author(s) -

Tyrel J. Starks,

Travis I. Lovejoy,

Daniel Sauermilch,

Gabriel Robles,

Mark Stratton,

Demetria Cain,

Sylvie Naar,

Sarah W. Feldstein Ewing

Publication year - 2020

Publication title -

aids and behavior

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 1.994

H-Index - 106

eISSN - 1573-3254

pISSN - 1090-7165

DOI - 10.1007/s10461-020-03044-4

Subject(s) - health psychology , psychology , sexual minority , formative assessment , public health , developmental psychology , clinical psychology , thematic analysis , sexual orientation , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , qualitative research , medicine , social psychology , family medicine , nursing , pedagogy , social science , sociology

Couples HIV Testing and Counseling (CHTC) is now a standard of care for partnered sexual minority men. While adolescent sexual minority men (ASMM; ages 15-19) face disproportionate HIV risk, the emergent nature of relationships and communication skills may present challenges to accessing and engaging in CHTC. This study utilized qualitative data from 28 ASMM recruited in 4 urban centers in the USA during the formative stage of Adolescent Trials Network study ATN-156. Participants were cis-male, HIV-negative, and in a relationship with a similarly-aged cis-male partner. Thematic analysis indicated low and high levels of commitment were barriers to CHTC. Concerns about caregiver attitudes towards HIV testing were salient. Adolescents' perception of structural barriers highlighted reliance on caregiver resources, which limited access to sexual health services. Prevention programming must address structural barriers to access encountered by adolescents. ASMM in relationships may benefit from programming that includes options for individual and dyadic participation.

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