Abstract
Young MSM are at increased risk for HIV, especially in the context of serious relationships, but there is a lack of couplesbased HIV prevention for this population. The 2GETHER intervention-an HIV prevention and relationship education program for young male couples-demonstrated promising effects in a pilot trial. However, there is evidence that internalized stigma (IS) can influence treatment outcomes among MSM. The current study examined the influence of IS on the efficacy of the 2GETHER intervention among 57 young male couples. The intervention led to decreases in percentage of condomless anal sex partners and increases in subjective norms regarding HIV prevention for those with low/average IS, but not high IS. The intervention also led to increases in motivation to get tested with one’s partner and decreases in alcohol consumption for those with high IS, but not low/average IS. In contrast, IS did not moderate intervention effects on other motivational constructs, dyadic adjustment, or alcohol problems. In sum, IS influences the extent to which young male couples benefit from HIV prevention and relationship education depending on the outcome. Research is needed to understand how IS influences treatment outcomes.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 3847-3858 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | AIDS and behavior |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 12 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2018 |
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Keywords
- HIV prevention
- Internalized stigma
- Relationship education
- Same-sex couples
- Young men who have sex with men
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Infectious Diseases
Cite this
}
The influence of internalized stigma on the efficacy of an HIV prevention and relationship education program for young male couples. / Feinstein, Brian; Bettin, Emily; Swann, Gregory; Macapagal, Kathryn Rose; Whitton, Sarah W.; Newcomb, Michael.
In: AIDS and behavior, Vol. 22, No. 12, 01.01.2018, p. 3847-3858.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - The influence of internalized stigma on the efficacy of an HIV prevention and relationship education program for young male couples
AU - Feinstein, Brian
AU - Bettin, Emily
AU - Swann, Gregory
AU - Macapagal, Kathryn Rose
AU - Whitton, Sarah W.
AU - Newcomb, Michael
PY - 2018/1/1
Y1 - 2018/1/1
N2 - Young MSM are at increased risk for HIV, especially in the context of serious relationships, but there is a lack of couplesbased HIV prevention for this population. The 2GETHER intervention-an HIV prevention and relationship education program for young male couples-demonstrated promising effects in a pilot trial. However, there is evidence that internalized stigma (IS) can influence treatment outcomes among MSM. The current study examined the influence of IS on the efficacy of the 2GETHER intervention among 57 young male couples. The intervention led to decreases in percentage of condomless anal sex partners and increases in subjective norms regarding HIV prevention for those with low/average IS, but not high IS. The intervention also led to increases in motivation to get tested with one’s partner and decreases in alcohol consumption for those with high IS, but not low/average IS. In contrast, IS did not moderate intervention effects on other motivational constructs, dyadic adjustment, or alcohol problems. In sum, IS influences the extent to which young male couples benefit from HIV prevention and relationship education depending on the outcome. Research is needed to understand how IS influences treatment outcomes.
AB - Young MSM are at increased risk for HIV, especially in the context of serious relationships, but there is a lack of couplesbased HIV prevention for this population. The 2GETHER intervention-an HIV prevention and relationship education program for young male couples-demonstrated promising effects in a pilot trial. However, there is evidence that internalized stigma (IS) can influence treatment outcomes among MSM. The current study examined the influence of IS on the efficacy of the 2GETHER intervention among 57 young male couples. The intervention led to decreases in percentage of condomless anal sex partners and increases in subjective norms regarding HIV prevention for those with low/average IS, but not high IS. The intervention also led to increases in motivation to get tested with one’s partner and decreases in alcohol consumption for those with high IS, but not low/average IS. In contrast, IS did not moderate intervention effects on other motivational constructs, dyadic adjustment, or alcohol problems. In sum, IS influences the extent to which young male couples benefit from HIV prevention and relationship education depending on the outcome. Research is needed to understand how IS influences treatment outcomes.
KW - HIV prevention
KW - Internalized stigma
KW - Relationship education
KW - Same-sex couples
KW - Young men who have sex with men
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85044256693&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85044256693&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10461-018-2093-6
DO - 10.1007/s10461-018-2093-6
M3 - Article
VL - 22
SP - 3847
EP - 3858
JO - AIDS and Behavior
JF - AIDS and Behavior
SN - 1090-7165
IS - 12
ER -