Differences in Interpartner Concordance on Relationship Factors Among Gay Male Couples: Implications for Future HIV/STI Prevention Programs

Gay men continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. Recent trends indicate gay men are contracting HIV more often from their main sexual partners than from casual sexual partners. A growing body of research has emerged to better understand how relationship factors may contribute to why gay men are contracting HIV from their main sexual partners. Discordance, or differences on certain relationship factors within gay male couples, has emerged as a possible explanation for the increase in HIV infection. The present study explored how interpartner concordance patterns on relationship factors differed by relationship duration and disease prevention communication. In this cross sectional study, dyadic data were collected through an anonymous electronic questionnaire from couples in Portland, OR and Seattle, WA to provide a convenience sample of 144 dyads. Men in each dyad completed the questionnaire independently but concurrently. Multilevel linear modeling was used to assess interpartner concordance. Results indicated that gay male couples were more concordant on investment in sexual agreement, planned condom use, and commitment as their relationship duration increased. Interpartner concordance on trust and HIV risk fluctuated with relationship duration. Interpartner concordance on commitment, trust, and planned condom use were lower among couples who did not communicate about disease prevention. Interpartner concordance on HIV risk and investment in sexual agreement were higher among couples who did communicate about disease prevention. Other results, including factors associated with sexual risk behaviors, will be presented and implications for development of innovative HIV prevention strategies for gay male couples will be discussed.