Kevin Trimell Jones, MEd, Archana Bodas LaPollo, MPH, and Lisa Bond, PhD. Philadelphia Health Management Corporation, 260 S. Broad St., 18th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102, 267-765-2352, kjones@phmc.org

Objectives: Young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) are at high risk for HIV infection. However, little is known regarding the role of YBMSM’s social attachments in protecting against or exacerbating this risk. This paper explores how YBMSM view their social attachments (e.g., family, friends, vogue/house communities) and how these attachments may help to foster safer sexual practices or promote risky behaviors.

Methods: Qualitative data were gathered from 27 YBMSM (ages 16-19) who participated in focus groups. Young men were recruited from gay- and non-gay-identified venues in Philadelphia, PA. Data were analyzed using AnSWR, a CDC-developed software package for analyzing qualitative data.

Results: YBMSM identified various social attachments that may influence their sexual behaviors. Some YBMSM reported that strong connections to family and concerns about disappointing family members, were they to become HIV-infected, kept them vigilant about engaging in safer sexual practices. YBMSM who reported disconnection from their family, often because of their sexual identity, described feelings of worthlessness that sometimes led to sexual risk-taking. For example, in searching for acceptance outside of the home, some YBMSM compromised their sexual safety by submitting to the wishes of older partners who were resistant to using condoms. Other attachments described by YBMSM as protecting against or exacerbating their risk for HIV included peers, vogue/house communities, and gay “mothers” and “fathers” (i.e. surrogate parental figures).

Conclusion: Understanding how YBMSM view their social attachments and how these attachments influence sexual risk-taking is important for developing interventions for this vulnerable population.

Learning Objectives: Participants in this session will be able to

• recognize the role of social attachments in HIV risk taking of YBMSM;
• conceptualize the multiple social attachments potentially available to YBMSM; and
• explore how knowledge of social attachments may contribute to the development of culturally-based prevention interventions targeting minority populations.

Keywords: Youth, HIV/AIDS

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.