Childhood sexual experiences and the perception of abuse among Latino men who have sex with men

Journal of Sex Research, August, 2002 by Curtis Dolezal, Alex Carballo-Dieguez

The current study assessed self-esteem, substance use, sexual dysfunction, and sexual-risk behavior and their association with CSA and the perception of sexual abuse. Analyses also considered the role of childhood family environment as a confounding factor.

Study Background

The current study is based on a sample of Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) in New York City. The study was designed to compare the sexual behavior and correlates of HIV-risk behavior among four ethnic groups. In the early 1990s, one author of this paper (Carballo-Dieguez) conducted several in-depth interviews with Puerto Rican MSM in preparation for a study within that population regarding determinants of HIV-related sexual risk behavior. The interviews included questions about psychosexual development, and some of the men mentioned early sexual experiences with adults, with various emotional reactions. Further exploration of these issues seemed warranted. In the study of Puerto Rican MSM that followed, questions regarding childhood sexual experiences were included as potential predictors of adult sexual risk behavior. Early sexual experiences with older partners were found to be quite common, although many felt they were willing participants and said they were not physically or emotionally hurt (Carballo-Dieguez & Dolezal, 1995). In the current study of Latino MSM, this section of the interview was expanded to learn more about these men's experiences and their current perception of the events as abuse or not.

METHOD

This study was designed to compare the sexual behaviors and correlates of sexual risk among four ethnic groups of Latino MSM. A convenience sample of Latin American men was recruited in New York City (predominantly in 1996) from a variety of sites (bars, dance clubs, parades, AIDS service organizations, community centers, public parks, etc.). To qualify for the study, men had to (a) be 18 or older; (b) be of Colombian, Dominican, Mexican, or Puerto Rican descent; and (c) have had sex with a male partner at least once in the last 12 months and at least 10 times in their lifetime. These four ethnic groups were chosen because they were among the largest Latino groups in New York City and they were located in distinct geographical localities that were judged conducive to successful recruitment. The criterion regarding sexual behavior was to exclude men who were not recently sexually active with men and also those who may have had only rare, isolated sexual experiences with men, such as in prison.

The assessment included an interviewer-administered section and a self-administered section. Interviews were audio taped and monitored for quality control. Assessments were available in Spanish or English, according to the participants' stated preferences (about two thirds were conducted in Spanish). Participants were paid $10 per hour for their participation. The study design and all study materials were approved by New York State Psychiatric Institute's IRB.

All participants signed consent forms that outlined the nature of the study and guaranteed confidentiality. The consent form signed by the men stated "This is an exploratory study to learn more about Hispanic men who have sex with men, about their knowledge concerning HIV disease and AIDS, and their sexual behavior." Although the men knew they would be asked questions of a sexual nature, the various aspects of sexuality involved (current sexual behavior, attitudes/intentions/beliefs about sexual practices, condom use, social norms, how pleasurable various sexual practices were, commercial sex involvement, drug and alcohol use during sexual activity, and early childhood sexual experiences) were not specified. While there was no attempt to deceive the participants about the themes of the interview, the men were not recruited based on any reference to CSA. This is important because it establishes that this is not in any way a clinical sample (e.g., men from clinical settings offering therapeutic services to victims of CSA) or a sample who volunteered (or refused to volunteer) because the study included an assessment of childhood sexual experiences. Sample bias is therefore less of a concern than it would be if the men were recruited based on CSA-related criteria.