|
|
|
|
|
James E. Barnhart, BA1, Sareen Leong2, Amy K. Mak2, Thida C. Tan, BAS3, Karen Tang, BS4, Jason Webber5, and Amy G. Lam, PhD6. (1) Department of Counseling, Sonoma State University, 1801 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, CA 94928, (707) 337-4807, jimbarnhrt@aol.com, (2) Department of Psychology and Human and Community Development, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, (3) Yolo County Health Department, 10 Cottonwood St., Woodland, CA 95695, (4) Department of Epidemiology, U.C. Davis, One Shields Avenue, TB 168, Davis, CA 95616, (5) Department of Psychology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132, (6) LPPI/Health Psychology, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California St. Suite 465, Box 0848, San Francisco, CA 94143-0848
Current research on reproductive health has mostly focused on women’s issues. The high number of HIV infected men in the U.S., along with the fact that male-to-female transmission of many STDs is more efficient than female-to-male transmission (Campbell, 1995), underscores the importance of examining men’s reproductive health. Moreover, given the simple dynamics of heterosexual condom use, it is especially critical to study how men and women negotiate condom use. There is currently little information concerning how men, especially ethnic minority men, negotiate condom use (Wight, 1993). Given the overrepresentation of Asians in U.S. universities, it may be important to understand how Asian college men negotiate condom use (Kirsanow, 2003). Although health professionals have often assumed that indirect, nonverbal negotiations are less effective than direct, verbal negotiations, recent quantitative work suggests Asians use more indirect and nonverbal condom negotiation strategies than Whites (Lam, Mak, Lindsay, & Russell, 2003).
The present study sought to address these research gaps by examining the use and effectiveness of four typologies of condom negotiation strategies (i.e., verbal-direct, verbal-indirect, nonverbal-direct, nonverbal-indirect) among White and Asian American men. The study also examined ethnic and relationship status differences in the use of these strategies. We conducted a web based survey study on 238 heterosexual Asian and White college men across four university campuses. Findings highlighted the importance of indirect and nonverbal condom negotiation strategies for Asians and those in casual relationships. Implications are discussed with regards to culturally appropriate safer sex interventions for college men.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the poster viewing, participants will be able to
Keywords: Male Reproductive Health, Health Communications
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.