Differences in relationship factors, testing and sexual behaviors, and attitudes toward new technologies within and between younger and older gay male couples: Implications for HIV prevention

A growing body of research has emerged to better understand how relationship factors affect HIV risk among gay male couples. Recent research indicates that common relationship factors of couples may either help decrease or increase their risk for HIV. However, limited data exists on how relationship factors, testing patterns, and sexual behaviors differ by the age of the couple. Examining whether certain attributes differ within and between younger and older couples may help explain HIV risk within the couple. Accordingly, the present study examined how relationship factors, testing, and sexual behaviors differed within the couple, and then by age of the couple. In this cross sectional study, dyadic data from a convenience sample of 361 dyads were collected electronically throughout the US. Men in each dyad completed the questionnaire independently. Multilevel linear modeling was used to compare differences on relationship factors, behaviors, and attitudes toward new HIV prevention technologies within and between younger and older gay male couples. Results from this study indicated that younger gay male couples were less likely to differ on their relationship satisfaction and mutual constructive communication; and more likely to differ about their commitment, investment, and dependability than older gay male couples. Younger couples also were more likely to practice UAI as both the insertive and receptive partner in their relationship, and less likely to be in an HIV discordant relationship. Other results will be presented and implications for development of programs to prevent HIV transmission among gay male couples will be discussed.