DETERMINANTS OF SAFER SEX PATTERNS AMONG GAY BISEXUAL MALE-ADOLESCENTS

The cognitive-behavioral (health-belief, social cognitive, peer support), risk-taking, and stress/coping models were examined as predictors of safer sex practices among 141 gay and bisexual male adolescents seeking services at a gay-identified social service agency. Safer sex practices, defined as abstinence or 100% consistent condom use during oral and anal sex, were practised by 47% of youths; 24% used condoms only during anal sex, and 27% did not use condoms consistently for either oral or anal sex. Components of the health-belief, self-efficacy theories, and emotional distress models were associated with safer sex practices; peer support was not. This suggests that prevention programs for gay/bisexual youths should continue to address beliefs about susceptibility to HIV infection and to enhance youths' abilities to cope with anxious moods.