Differences in Relationship Characteristics Between HIV-Negative Male Couples Who Used and Did Not Use Substances with Sex

Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Motivational Interviewing with Sexual Minority Male Couples to Reduce Drug Use and Sexual Risk: The Couples Health Project

A randomized controlled trial evaluated the preliminary efficacy of a dyadically-delivered motivational interviewing (MI) intervention to reduce drug use and sexual risk in a sample of 50 sexual minority (cis)male (SMM) couples. In each couple, at least one partner was aged 18-29; reported drug use and sexual HIV transmission risk; and was HIV-negative. Couples were randomized to either the three-session MI intervention or an attention-matched control, with follow-up surveys completed at 3- and 6-months post-baseline. Between-group differences for all outcomes were non-significant in the overall sample. Subsequent moderation analyses indicated the intervention significantly reduced illicit drug use (excluding marijuana) at 3-month follow-up when either respondents (B = - 1.96; interval rate ratio-IRR 0.02-1.22; p = .001), their partners (B = - 2.60; IRR 0.01-0.64; p = .004), or both (B = - 2.38; IRR 0.01-0.80; p = .001) reported high levels of baseline use. The intervention also reduced condomless anal sex (CAS) with casual partners when both partners reported high frequency baseline CAS (B = - 2.54; IRR 0.01-0.83; p = .047). Findings provide initial evidence of the potential for MI to address drug use and sexual risk-taking among SMM couples at highest risk.Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine) Identifier: #NCT03386110.

Motivational interviewing with male couples to reduce substance use and HIV risk: Manifestations of partner discord and strategies for facilitating dyadic functioning

The efficacy of motivational interviewing (MI) to reduce substance use is well established; however, its use with couples has met with mixed results. The development of such interventions is particularly relevant for male couples, as rates of substance use in this population are comparatively high and use is associated with aspects of sexual relationship functioning. One challenge noted in conducting MI with couples is how to respond to situations in which partners disagree with one another or argue against change. Guided by the couples interdependence theory, we conceptualized conflicts within session as failures in the accommodation process. We used qualitative analysis to examine manifestations of conflict in session and to identify effective provider response strategies. The sample included 14 cis-male couples with at least 1 partner was aged 18-29 years, reported substance use, and was HIV negative. All couples completed 3 MI sessions lasting 60-75 min each. Manifestations of conflict included conflation of thoughts/feelings, vague or indirect communication, and inaccurate assumptions. Effective provider responses included correcting assumptions, shifting focus, relationship repair, "common ground" reflections, and relationship affirmations. Observed conflicts aligned with conceptualizations of destructive resolutions to the accommodation process (i.e., exit and neglect). Effective provider responses to conflict facilitated dyadic functioning and catalyzed constructive accommodation. These results provide an initial compendium of provider skills and strategies that may be particularly relevant in work with sexual minority male couples, for whom achieving accommodation around drug use and sexual health goals is often viewed as a key mechanism of intervention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Trust, Sexual Trust, and Sexual Health: An Interrogative Review

Trust is experienced almost constantly in all forms of social and interpersonal relationships, including sexual relationships, and may contribute both directly and indirectly to sexual health. The purpose of this review is to link three aspects of trust to sexual health: (1) the role of trust in sexual relationships; (2) the role of trust in sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, particularly condom use; and (3) the relevance of trust in sexual relationships outside of the traditional model of monogamy. The review ends with consideration of perspectives that could guide new research toward understanding the enigmas of trust in partnered sexual relations in the context of sexual and public health.

Relationship Dynamics in the Context of Binge Drinking and Polydrug Use Among Same-Sex Male Couples in Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago

An estimated one- to two-thirds of incident HIV infections among U.S. men who have sex with men (MSM) occur within the context of a primary relationship. The existing, yet limited, literature on sexual risk behavior among same-sex couples suggests that MSM with main partners are more often to report having lower perceived HIV risk, higher unrecognized HIV infection, and increased frequency of condomless anal intercourse with their primary partner. Furthermore, numerous studies document the strong relationship between polydrug use and binge drinking with HIV infection among MSM. However, more research is needed that identifies how individual- and relationship-level factors are related to polydrug use and binge drinking in the context of same-sex male relationships. We used baseline data collected as part of a prospective randomized controlled trial of 160 same-sex male couples (total N = 320 individuals). In 2015, recruitment commenced in three U.S. cities: Atlanta, GA, Boston, MA, and Chicago, IL. Participants completed a self-report assessment using an audio-computer-assisted self-interview system during their baseline enrollment visit. We collected information on participants' sociodemographic characteristics, drug and alcohol use, individual- and relationship-level variables of interest, as well as relationship quality. Multinomial logistic regression models were fit for three different categories of polydrug use and of binge drinking for which (1) both partners exhibited the behavior, (2) only the respondent exhibited the behavior, or (3) only the partner exhibited the behavior. Participants' age ranged from 18 to 69 (M = 35.9). The sample majority (77.5%) was White (248/320), with 12.2% Black (39/320) and 10.3% Multiracial (33/320); 68.4% had completed a college degree; and 9.6% were unemployed. A high proportion (62.2%) reported any drug use, including marijuana; 45% reported using drugs other than marijuana; and 18.1% reported polydrug use. Overall, 22.2% reported current binge drinking. Age discordance and being in a long-term relationship (6 or more years) were associated with a decreased odds of polydrug use among couples; being in an interracial dyad, recent history of arrest, living with HIV, and self-reported clinically significant depressive symptoms were associated with an increased odds of polydrug use. Additionally, being the older partner and reporting higher levels of internalized homophobia decreased odds for binge drinking, while recent history of arrest, living with HIV, and feeling more loved in their relationship were associated with an increased odds of binge drinking. Findings have implications for developing interventions to reduce substance use and promote health among same-sex male couples. Future research would benefit by using longitudinal study designs to understand the individual-, relationship-, and structural-level factors that potentiate polydrug use and binge drinking among same-sex male couples.

Critical Review: When the Party is Over: A Systematic Review of Behavioral Interventions for Substance-Using Men Who Have Sex with Men

Because problematic patterns of alcohol and other substance use are prevalent drivers of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, comprehensive interventions are needed for substance-using men who have sex with men (SUMSM). We conducted a systematic review of 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of behavioral interventions for reducing condomless anal intercourse (CAI) in SUMSM. Three RCTs observed that cognitive behavioral or motivational interviewing interventions achieved a 24% to 40% decrease in CAI. Interventions also tended to demonstrate greater efficacy for reducing CAI and substance use among those who had lower severity of substance use disorder symptoms. Although behavioral interventions for SUMSM are one potentially important component of biobehavioral HIV/AIDS prevention, further research is needed to examine whether integrative approaches that cultivate resilience and target co-occurring syndemic conditions demonstrate greater efficacy. Multilevel intervention approaches are also needed to optimize the effectiveness of pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV treatment as prevention with SUMSM.